Locations
Between August and November 2022 archaeological investigations will examine three potential Dark Age sites in Upper Tweeddale.
Visitors are welcome to visit the dig locations and progress on the discovery of a hidden heritage will be reported with regular updates here on www.dark-age-digs.com.
Tinnis Castle Hillfort
8th to 19th August 2022
A topographic survey to establish a modern plan and 3D model and excavation of three trenches. This hillfort is defined by the remains of a rampart enclosing the natural summit of the knoll, supplemented by the remains of two non-concentric outer ramparts.
Thirlestane Barrows
17th to 28th October 2022
The project will examine a sample of potential early medieval high-status burials representative of not only other sites in the Scottish Borders but relevant and applicable to sites in other regions of Scotland.
Merlin's Grave
7th November 2022
According to legend, Merlin was reputedly buried on the haugh on the east bank of the Tweed, north of Drumelzier Church. The project will undertake a geophysics survey of the field to confirm if there is any archaeological evidence for a grave here.
Investigations Summary
- a topographic survey to establish a modern plan and 3D model of Tinnis Castle Hillfort (NRHE: NT13SW 23);
- The excavation of three trenches at Tinnis Castle Hillfort, comprising two across the summit rampart and interior and one across a lower lying rampart, comprising a total of 58 m², to recover environmental and artefactual evidence from secure contexts in order to enable radiocarbon dating and characterisation of the occupation of this hillfort;
- A geophysics survey of the Thirlestane Barrows (NRHE: NT13NW 142), which extend across two separate fields;
- The excavation of two trenches within Thirlestane Barrows, each 4 x 4 m, targeting features identified by the geophysics results, to recover archaeological evidence from secure contexts in order to enable radiocarbon dating and characterisation of these barrows;
- A geophysics survey of an areas surrounding the Merlin’s Grave site (NRHE: NT13SW 35) comprising 21,130 m²;
- Analysis of the recovered archaeological evidence;
- Dissemination of the results to as wide an audience as possible
Site Location
Dig Sites Blog
Facebook Discussion Group
Join the Dark Age Digs Facebook Group to share your experiences on the digs:
Background Photo: Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
