Excavation of a Neolithic long mortuary enclosure within the Roman legionary fortress at Inchtuthil, Perthshire
Ditch, Artefacts, Rectilinear Ditched Enclosure, Long Mortuary Enclosure, Legionary Axe, Enclosure, Pit, Legionary Fortress, Barrack Blocks
Inchtuthil, Perthshire, Scotland, UK
Neolithic, Prehistoric, Roman
Abstract
The eastern half of a rectilinear ditched enclosure was excavated to provide information on its date, structure and function. Two fence-like structures had been erected consecutively along the line of the enclosing ditch; the second fence had been burned in situ. Elements of this fence were dated to the late fourth/early third millennium bc. The eastern end of the enclosure may have been elaborated. No associated artefacts were found. Portions of two Roman barrack blocks were revealed and a legionary axe was recovered from a disturbed pit cut through the eastern end of the prehistoric enclosure.