Possible Prehistoric Pit
Pit pre-excavation, image copyright GUARD Archaeology Ltd
An archaeological evaluation was carried out by GUARD Archaeology Limited on an area proposed for development at Ayr Road, Newton Mearns. This identified one feature of archaeological significance, an oval shaped pit, found on slightly raised ground close to the northern boundary. The pit measured 1.3 m in length by 0.7 m in width, with a fairly flat base and a maximum depth of 0.2 m. The fill consisted of a moderately compacted black-brown sand silt which contained charcoal flecks and a large amount of subangular pebble and cobble sized stones. Although no artefacts were recovered to provided a possible date for the feature and its function remains elusive, the nature of the remains suggest a possible prehistoric date. While the evaluation trench was extended around the location of the pit, no further features were encountered, though it remains possible that additional material may survive in the vicinity. As a result, an additional phase of fieldwork will take place around the pit, to take in the rest of the raised area, so that any associated features that may be present can be excavated and recorded.
Pit half-sectioned, image copyright GUARD Archaeology Ltd