Cremated human remains dating from the Iron Age have been discovered during an archaeological excavation at Adie’s Brae near Moffat.
The dig was part of the Destination Tweed project’s community-based archaeology programme, Uncovering the Tweed which is investigating important sites of activity along the River Tweed and in the surrounding area. The programme is being led by AOC Archaeology Group who worked with a team of volunteers to carry out the dig in October 2024, with results now emerging from post-excavation analysis.
The cremated remains were found during an initial excavation of the Adie’s Brae scooped settlement at Ericstane near Moffat on land owned by Borders Forest Trust, a partner in the Destination Tweed project. Scooped settlements are enclosures that have been cut into the hillside. They are found exclusively in south-east and central southern Scotland and typically date to the Middle Iron Age (c.200BC-200AD). The dig uncovered two roundhouses, pits and postholes as well as evidence of everyday domestic activity.
Burnt bone fragments were discovered in a small pit within the settlement, with specialist analysis later identifying them as human remains representing one individual, thought to be male and aged over 17. Radiocarbon dating* indicates that the person was cremated somewhere between the second half of the 1st century BC and the end of the 1st century AD. It is believed that the cremated remains represent a small deposit deliberately placed within or under a building, with the main funeral pyre located elsewhere.
While human remains of various forms have been found in Iron Age domestic settings in other areas of Scotland, surviving remains of this type in a domestic context are a very rare discovery in this part of Scotland and have the potential to aid understanding of funerary rituals and pyre technology of the time, as well as the health of the people of the period.
In time periods both before and after the Iron Age, evidence suggests there was a clearer separation of funerary and domestic activities. The evident practice of incorporating human remains in Iron Age domestic contexts is one that isn’t well understood.
Radiocarbon dating of additional finds at the site indicated that the Adie’s Brae settlement was in use from very late 1st century BC, with the main focus of activity from the 1st century AD into the second century AD. A further excavation is set to take place later this month.
The archaeology programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Fallago Environment Fund.
Project Manager Cathy MacIver from AOC Archaeology Group said; “Relatively few of these distinctive settlement types have been excavated using modern archaeological methods so our aim at Adie’s Brae had been to date the settlement, to understand the structure of the enclosure, and hopefully make other discoveries to show how people lived their daily lives. Uncovering cremated remains was both exciting and unexpected, it gives us an important insight into the rituals and practices of past societies. We’re greatly looking forward to continuing the excavations at this fascinating site.”
The work at Adie’s Brae also found evidence of Iron Age farming activity with hulled barley and two-row hulled barley discovered within soil samples taken. Both were commonly cultivated during the Iron Age and indicate that cereal crops were grown near the site, likely forming a significant part of the diet of this rural farming community. Analysis of animal bone confirmed that cattle and sheep or goats were present, suggesting mixed livestock farming.
Fragments of charcoal recovered show that a range of tree species were exploited by the inhabitants including hazel, ash, willow, alder and apple-type trees. This evidence suggests that the settlement was surrounded by relatively open deciduous woodland.
Destination Tweed Project Officer, Charlotte Douglas, said; “Discoveries like this highlight the incredible depth of history that exists along the River Tweed and its surrounding landscape. Through Uncovering the Tweed, we’re both revealing fascinating insights into how people lived and commemorated their dead thousands of years ago, and also giving local communities the chance to play a direct role in these discoveries. It’s a wonderful way to connect people with the heritage on their doorstep and to help tell the story of the people who have lived in these landscapes across the centuries.”
In addition to encouraging volunteer participation in archaeological excavations, Uncovering the Tweed is encouraging community involvement in researching and surveying sites from Moffat to Berwick, close to the route of the planned source-to-sea River Tweed Trail. The inclusive project features opportunities for people to learn how to identify previously unknown archaeological sites from their own homes using web-based LiDAR technology. Specific projects within the programme are studying a range of themes including historical river crossings, prehistoric lives, medieval towers, early medieval carved stones, abandoned villages and the region’s industrial heritage.