peeblesshire-1967-vol-1/03_055

Transcription

INTRODUCTION: THE BRONZE AGE

this were the tendency for them to occur in groups, the general absence of entrances, and the
fact that they are in several instances situated on marshy, low-lying ground. The survey work
done in preparation of this Inventory has confirmed Christison's suspicions, but excavation
has produced disappointing results. Five out of six examples that were completely or
partially excavated by the Commission's staff yielded no relics whatsoever, but a small stone
axe-head and a number of chert implements were recovered from the sixth example (No. 115,
enclosure A). Slight though this evidence is, it at least suggests that these structures may date
as far back as the Bronze Age. In Northumberland, where a similar enclosure has been
excavated, the same absence of relics has been met.¹ As regards the structural evidence afforded
by the excavations, the banks of the enclosures have been found in every case to be formed of
heaped earth without turf or other revetting. In one case the bank was interrupted by a narrow
entrance (No. 118), but two of the others had no entrance (No. 115, enclosure B; No. 117, east
enclosure).
The lack of entrances in some cases, the earthen composition of the bank and their associa-
tion with barrows in several cases (Nos. 115, 117, 128, 132, 133(i), 143) imply that these ring
enclosures were not connected with sheep-rearing or agriculture; but only further excavation
is likely to establish their date and purpose. In addition to the eighty-one examples recorded in
Peeblesshire, others, as yet unpublished, are known from Roxburghshire, Lanarkshire,
Midlothian, Northumberland and elsewhere; it is therefore clear that they are not simply a
local phenomenon.
All the gold and bronze objects from Peeblesshire which date to the Early Bronze Age are
unassociated surface finds. The only objects of gold are two identical lunulae from the farm of
Southside, which is just within the county boundary although it has sometimes been attributed
to Lanarkshire. Only three other lunulae are recorded in Scotland. The bronzes include two
flat axes (one of them is decorated), five flanged axes, two bronze rings of a type found elsewhere
in Scotland in association with Beakers and Food Vessels, ² and a halberd. ³
The only bronze objects of Middle Bronze Age date are three palstaves, and three small
fragments, possibly belonging to the blade of a knife, found at Horsburgh Castle (No. 83) in a
Cinerary Urn together with a cremation.
The Late Bronze Age is represented only by the two hoards, from Horsehope and Laman-
cha, and by a number of unassociated surface finds. The Horsehope hoard and the Hatton
Knowe cauldron have recently been discussed ⁴ and the whole content of the Scottish Late
Bronze Age metalwork has been the subject of a special study.⁵ As a result of this work it is
clear that the majority of the Late Bronze metalwork in Scotland, including the Peeblesshire
material, dates from the late eighth to the sixth centuries B.C.
The following list contains all the pottery, as well as the gold and bronze objects, of the
Bronze Age that have been found in the county.

1 The Commissioners are indebted to Mr. George Jobey,
D.S.O., M.A., F.S.A., for this information.
2 Anderson, J., Scotland in Pagan Times, The Bronze and Stone
Ages, (1886), 58; Inventaria Archaeologica, GB 27 but not with
cremation as there stated.
3 This halberd, which is unpublished, has had a short iron haft
riveted on to it.
4 Horsehope, P.S.A.S., lxxxvii (1952-3), 175 ff.; Hatton Knowe,
The Antiquaries Journal, xxxvii (1957), 178 ff.
5 P.S.A.S., xciii (1959-60), 16 ff.

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