MHG13310 - Prehistoric Pine Stumps - Loch Farlary
Summary
During peat cutting, in situ remains of Scots pine bearing the tool marks of prehistoric axes were recovered from near Loch Farlary.
Type and Period (1)
- FINDSPOT (Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze Age - 1500 BC? to 551 BC?)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
In 1993, a peat-cutter, Bruce Field, working on the blanket peat bank he rented from the Sutherland Estate by Loch Farlary, above Golspie in Sutherland, reported to Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland several pieces of pine wood bearing axe marks. Their depth in the peat suggested the cut marks to be prehistoric. <1>
The cut marked trees died before metal work was introduced to Britain, however they were cut in all instances by metal axes; the timber was worked after the trees had died, and probably long after. The facets left by the axes indicated middle to late Bronze Age, but also Iron Age dates. Cutting probably took place at different times in the context of peat cutting, as the timbers were probably buried by peat. <2>
Work was undertaken to understand the environmental context of these unique archaeological finds, which was published in 2008. This work involved a programme of dating, including radiocarbon dating (see table 2). <2> The archaeological interpretation was published in 2007. <1>
Pinewood stumps with cut marks from Loch Farlary are listed in the NMS catalogue under Acc. No. 1995.96. <3>
Golspie Museum also had cut marked tree stumps from the site. <4>
See also the link below to the Scottish Radiocarbon Database for radiocarbon dates.
Sources/Archives (5)
- --- SHG2884 Text/Publication/Volume: Tipping R. 09/1994. Metal Tool Marks on Pine Stumps near Golspie, Sutherland.
- <1> SHG27901 Text/Publication/Article: Tipping, R et al. 2007. Peat, pine stumps and people: interactions behind climate, vegetation change and human activity in wetland archaeology at Loch Farlary, northern Scotland. Archaeology from the Wetlands: Recent Perspectives, Proceedings of the 11th WARP Conference. 157-164. Online.
- <2> SHG27281 Text/Publication/Article: Tipping, R et al. 2008. Prehistoric Pinus woodland dynamics in an upland landscape in northern Scotland: the roles of climate change and human impact. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany Vol. 17. 251-267. Digital (scanned as PDF).
- <3> SHG28278 Dataset/Database File: National Museums Scotland. 2019. Highland Finds from the NMS Catalogue. National Museums Scotland. Digital. 1995.96.
- <4> SHG28086 Verbal Communication: Kruse, S. 2019-20. Note from Susan Kruse, Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). Yes.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NC 7744 0495 (4m by 4m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NC70SE |
| Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
| Civil Parish | GOLSPIE |
Finds (2)
- PLANT REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2400 BC to 551 BC)
- PLANT REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2400 BC to 551 BC)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (3)
- https://canmore.org.uk/c14index/317870 (Link to online Scottish Radiocarbon Database)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/317870/loch-farlary (Link to online HES Canmore record)
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00334-007-0120-z (Link to online published article)
Comments and Feedback
Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.