Medieval Dwelling sites and a Primitive Village in the Parish of Manor, Peeblesshire

Excavations in July 1939

Abstract

A class of sites described as scooped enclosures are characterised by a hillside location. The area marked off by an enclosing rampart or wall is mostly lower than the ground outside. This is markedly so on the uphill side, where the enclosing wall stands on the level of the ground outside and is clearly not meant to be defensible against attack from above. The interior is not uniformly level, but consists of a number of separate level "floors," quasi-circular, arranged in the main in two horizontal rows. The downhill side of the lower row is probably levelled up by terracing. The general shape of the enclosure is oval, usually with the long axis\r\nhorizontal. The partial excavation of one of these is described and its function as a dwelling is confirmed. Excavation of a nearby hut-circle failed to recover any dating evidence.