Neolithic halls unearthed at Scottish school are older than Stonehenge
The discovery of the hall — which is older than Stonehenge — and a smaller companion building is 'exceptional'. The site, at Carnoustie High School, Angus, is being investigated by Guard Archaeology. The larger hall is the biggest found in Scotland.
Finds included a gold-decorated Celtic spearhead and a sword with what is possibly the best-preserved late Bronze Age wood-and-leather scabbard in Britain.
A report said the halls probably drew farmers from across a wide area for feasts and celebrations. Finds included artefacts from Arran and the Highlands.
Alan Hunter Blair, who directed the fieldwork, said: 'The Carnoustie excavation produced exceptional results, the traces of the largest early Neolithic timber hall ever discovered in Scotland dating from near 4,000BC.
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The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Neolithic farming halls older than Stonehenge discovered beneath school
An early Neolithic timber hall has been found beneath a school in Scotland, with archaeologists believing it could have been a ceremonial venue for Scotland's first farming communities. The remains of the 'internationally significant' hall, older than Stonehenge, were found beneath what will become two school football pitches for Carnoustie High School in Angus. The site, which was first explored in 2017, is being investigated by the Guard Archaeology. It is believed to be the largest hall found in Scotland. The archaeological group said the discovery of the hall and a smaller companion building was 'exceptional' and included artefacts from around Scotland, including Arran and the Highlands, as well as hazelnut shells and charred cereal grains. Among the artefacts discovered was a gold-decorated Celtic spearhead and a sword, as well as an extremely well-preserved late Bronze Age wood-and-leather scabbard. It is believed to be among the best-preserved in Britain. A report by Guard Archaeology suggested the halls likely attracted farmers from across a wide area for feasts and celebrations. It was especially rare to have two buildings together. Alan Hunter Blair, who directed the fieldwork, said: 'The Carnoustie excavation produced exceptional results, the traces of the largest early Neolithic timber hall ever discovered in Scotland, dating from near 4,000BC. 'This was a permanent structure 35m long and 9m wide, built of oak with opposed doorways near one end of the building. Its large roof was supported by paired massive timber posts.' Beverley Ballin Smith, the co-author of the report, said: 'This monumental timber hall, completely alien to the culture and landscape of the preceding Mesolithic era, was erected by one of the very first groups of farmers to colonise Scotland, in a clearing within the remains of natural woodland. 'It was fully formed, architecturally sophisticated, large, complex and required skills of design, planning, execution and carpentry.' The archaeology group said the smaller hall was 20 metres long and more than eight metres wide. Ballin Smith said: 'The Carnoustie halls, elevated and prominent in the landscape, were probably close to routeways where people might have congregated naturally at various seasons of the year. 'The availability of hazelnuts in autumn is a strong indicator that that season was an important one for meeting, feasting and celebrating. 'Carnoustie might have been a focal point, [the halls'] significance great enough to attract people from a much wider area. 'Some artefacts came from distant places and represent deliberate deposition, such as fragments of Arran pitchstone, an axe of garnet-albite-schist and a piece of smoky quartz from the Highlands. 'Other materials were found more locally, such as agate, quartz and chalcedony.' Kathryn Lindsay, the chief executive of Angus council, said: 'When [we] approved the development of two outdoor football pitches at Balmachie Road, no one imagined the process would reveal one of the most internationally significant archaeological discoveries in Scotland.' The council funded the archaeological work, which was required as a condition of planning consent.
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Summer lamb and vegetable stew
This is my take on a classic Irish stew, but with a summery twist using seasonal vegetables such as baby turnips and young carrots – whatever you've grown or can get your hands on. You can throw in some small new potatoes too, in true Irish style. If you're a gardener, it's a brilliant way to use up those tiny veggies when thinning out your beds – I did exactly that with my radishes (planted them a bit too close together) and they cooked up just like baby turnips. I like to serve this with a zippy green sauce made from soft herbs – think parsley, mint, basil – blended with a splash of oil, a bit of mustard and some capers for kick. Ingredients For the stew 1 tbsp olive oil 800g lamb neck fillet, cut into 2cm pieces 1.2 litres lamb or chicken stock 2 bay leaves A few sprigs of thyme about 12 young carrots about 12 baby turnips or radishes ½ hispi cabbage, cut into 4 wedges crusty bread, to serve (optional) For the green sauce handful of mint, basil and parsley (stalks and leaves) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp capers juice of ½ lemon Method Step Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy sauté pan and brown 800g lamb neck fillet, cut into 2cm pieces for about 3 minutes, turning regularly to colour the meat all over. Step Bring to a rolling boil, skim the surface and season. Step Simmer over a low heat for about 1 hour – skimming any foam off the top as it's cooking. Step Check for tenderness – the lamb should be soft and pull-away tender. Continue simmering if necessary. Step Meanwhile, to make the green sauce, lightly blitz a handful of mint, basil and parsley (stalks and leaves), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1tbsp capers and the juice of ½ lemon in a food processor or blender – you don't want to whizz it too much as you still want some texture. Step Once the meat is nearly cooked, add 12 young carrots and 12 baby turnips or radishes (left whole) and cover with a lid, simmering for about 10 minutes until they are nearly tender.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Proposals to refurbish and extend Invergarry church
An 87-year-old Lochaber church could undergo a major plans for St Finnan's RC Church in Invergarry aim to preserve its historical character and refurbish the building's interior and extension has also been proposed which would increase seating capacity, improve accessibility and provide toilet facilities. The external refurbishment would include repairs to leadwork, gutters and downpipes. A stained glass window would also be added. There would be improved external lighting and access pathways, as well as the installation of an energy-efficient lighting and heating system. Reconfiguration of the internal layout has been proposed to create a community planning application from the church is currently under consideration by Highland Council.
