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7/30/2019 Medieval Strichen, Archaeology
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
1
Report on the Archaeological Potential
of the area formerly known as
Kirktown Strichen
Contents
Page
1. Location 22. Introduction 23. Pre-existing fieldwork 34. Discusions 4
4.1 Pre Historical Period 4
4.2 Historical Period 5
4.2.1 Background 54.2.2 Map of Zones of Potential Archaeology 5
4.2.3 Z1 Mill of Cospatric Macmadethyn 5
4.2.4 Z2 Mill of Cospatric (alternative location) 6
4.2.5 Z3 Church and Ladywell 7
4.2.6 Z4 Settlement 8
5. Proposed Further Prospection Methods of Z4 Settlement 9
6. Conclusion 10
Illustrations
Page
Fig.1 1:25 000 OS map of Site 2
Fig.2 1:25 000 OS map showing relationship of ritual areas to Site 4
Fig.3 1847 Strichen Estate Map, held on micro-film Strichen Library 4
Fig.4 2nd
Edition OS map, enclosure on Site 4
Fig.5 Map of potential archaeology zones 5
Fig.6 2nd
Edition OS map with xxx xx insert and 1768 Estate Map showing Kirktown and Mill 6
Fig.7 1st
Edition OS map and Aberdeenshire SMR map 6
Fig.8 Photo Churchyard, 1794 Portrait of bridge (Strichen Library), Corbel Strichen Town House 7Fig.9 RCAHMS map and 1
stEdition OS map 8
Fig.10 Roy Military map 8
Fig.11 Saterlit Image of Strichen Churchyard (Googlemaps) 9
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
2
1. Location
Fig.1
The area is roughly 1km square and centres on a low lying hill to the south of the modern settlement of Strichen. Its
northern and eastern boundaries are set by a bend in the river Ugie flowing north to south, and its western and
southern limits by a burn running west to east. Rising up 20 meters above these water features the hill plateau out
for an area of 350 meters. For the purpose of this report the area will be referred to as Site. (Fig.1)
2. Introduction
Although the Site today is largely agricultural, before 1763 it was an urban settlement known as Kirktown of
Strichen. Alexander Fraser, 7th
Lord Strichen, had the settlement moved to a new planned town on the northern
bank of the river Ugie where modern Strichen now stands. This deliberate end of occupation at a precise point along
the Sites timeline, suggest that surviving archaeology has not been added to or contaminated by material after the
mid 1700s. The following desk study aims to identify the location and evaluate the potential of this surviving pre-
1763 archaeology. The results of this study may then form a requisite to carry out further non-invasive investigation
that may go on to justify a possible archaeological evaluation on the site with the view of increasing theunderstanding of past life in a Buchan settlement
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
3
3. Pre-Existing Fieldwork Excavation.
The following map and table has been generated from data provided by RCAHMS
i
and Aberdeenshires SMR
ii
:
Ref.Name
Aberdeenshir
e SMR
RCAHMS
Canmore
ID
Description Find Date Comments
1 Howford
Strichen
NJ95SE0021 20728 Urn Cinerary Inverted urn
containing
burnt bone of
adult over 20
and bones of
child under 2.
Bronze Age 2000-800
BC
Excavated 1970
Lockhart RD, now
housed Marischal
Museum.
2 NJ95SEOO32 Cinerary pit, Pit fill
containing
Bones, Wood
Carbon 15 dated, GrA-
28622 calibrated 1890-
1690BC
Excavated 1986
Shepherd IAG
3 NJ95SE0031 Cinerary pit,(urn reported
but not found
on excavation).
Crematedbone of x2
individuals +
burnt flint.
Five clay
pinheads
found during
sieving.
SUERC Lab No 33727 -Context 005 s.1 -
Sample of Betula -
Uncalibrated 3510 +/-
30 = 1890-1770BC to 1
sigma, or SUERC Lab No
33728 - Context 005 s.2
- Sample of Quercus -
Uncalibrated 3600 +/-
30 = 2020-1910BC to 1
sigma
Excavated 1984 GreigM & Ingles J. Now
housed at Mariscles
Museum.
4 Adziel
House
NJ95SE0049 n/a Crop Mark Circular
enclosure with
internalfeature.
Prehistoric 70% Seen on 1977 areial
black/white photo,
NJ95S2718099.
5 Strichen old
church
NJ95SW0008 245034
180884
20747
Remains of:
1620 church
1799 church
Part of 1620
church that
houses the
burial aisle of
Lord Thomas
Strichen. 1799
church is now
roofed shell.
17th
and 18th
century Scotland Building at
Risk Register:
Ser.1746
6 The Glebe NJ95SW0071 n/a Farmstead Still in use. Post medieval after
1560
Shown on 1st
edition
OS map
7 Buchan
House
NJ95SW0070 180885 Manse Italian Villa
type L-plan.
Still in use.
Built 1853AD Architect Mackenzie
& Mathews
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
4
4. Discussion4.1 Pre-History
The search on the Aberdeenshire SMR and RCAHMS websites show that the known archaeology of the Site isrestricted to its periphery. The Bronze Age cremations at Howford to the east and a Recumbent Stone Circle 1km
west outside the Site area, orbits the Site as areas of ritual. Suggesting the Site was either transited between these
places or was the hub of occupation utilising them. (Fig.2)
Fig.2
The suitability of the Site for occupation is illustrated well on the estate map of 1843iii
with the method of depicting
land relief used at that time (Fig.3). The Site being an area of dry high ground surrounded by water obstacles would
have providing protection and maybe an amount of status for a Bronze Age community.
Fig.3
Although no finds or ancient monuments are recorded relating to this period, the hockey-stick shaped enclosure on
the Site has the potential of being a pre-history feature (Fig.4). The way the field system has always avoided thisirregular enclosed space as if ignoring its existence on the landscape suggest local superstition may be at play.
Further research of the folk law of the community may provide a story for its deliberate exclusion, but further
archaeological evaluation may be needed to discover its original function allocate it a period.
Fig 4
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
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4.2 Historical Period
4.2.1 Background
The earliestsurviving record of Strichen as a settlement appears in a charter of 1206 by the last Mormoar of Buchan
(Celtic Earl) Fergus (Tocher J.F. 1910)iv. In it Strichen is refer to by another name, Crux Medici, which may be
interrupted from the Latin as either meaning Doctors Crossing or Cross of the Doctors.
The Fergus charter only refers to the Site in its relationship to other settlements on the landscape. The next charter
issued by his son-in-law William Comyns around 1214, after becoming Earl of Buchan through marriage and the
death of Fergus in 1211, gives actual details of the settlement itself (Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis, 1845)v.
Williams charter now calls the settlement Strichen and in it records the deed of a mill granted to Cospatric for the
rent of two stone of wax and a pledge of military service. The Mill and wax production denotes industry and
Cospatric , whose name prefix Cos means servant, may be of reasonable high status in society for he also appears
as a witness on the previous Fergus charter.
4.2.2 Map of Zoned Areas of Potential Archaeology
Fig.5
The map depicts zones of archaeology potential derived from the desk study. Each will be discussed with the zone
having the highest estimate value of knowledge to be gained from possible future prospection elaborated on which
methods may be used.
4.2.3 Z1 Mill of Cospatric Macmadethyn
The location of Cospatrics mill is no longer known, however period maps presents two possibilities. A mill at Z1 in
the north of the Site was fed by a mill pond that is now known as the Strichen Community Parks Lake (Fig.6).
Although the sluice gate feeding this mill remains, the mills absence from the landscape since its demolition in 1857to make way for a viaduct of the Formatine and Buchan railway, has been detrimental on the memory of this waters
primary function. The modern concept that the Lake was ornamental in origin dates from around 1820 when the
Key
Z1. Mill, vertical
Z2. Mill, horizontal
Z3. Well, Lady-well
Z4. Settlement, cross-roads
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
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estate was landscaped by W S Gilpin (Tait, A A 1980)vi. With the arrival of the railway the estate was made a country
club and later a Hydro, adding to the persona of a lake over that of a working mill pond.
The dating of the Lake may help to confirm and re-establish the mills presence in this zone. Underwater prospection
methods to ascertain dating evidence may therefore be justified, especially as its age may have a bearing on thediscussion in Z3.
Fig.6
4.2.4 Z2 Mill of Cospatric (alternative location).
Z2 is recorded only on the SMR as a circular enclosure with a rectangle feature seen from an aerial photographvii
. The
SMR categorised it as a 70% chance of being pre-historic. However its description and location near the junction of
the burn and river is descriptive of a horizontal mills footprint (Cruden S. 1948)viii
.
Fig.7
Horizontal mill technology predates that of the more efficient vertical mill. With no gearing the speed of the
horizontal mill relied solely on the flow rate of the stream or river to turn. Production would have been limited to
supplying local needs only. With the introduction of the geared vertical mill (Z1 mill) a surplus could be generated for
sale.
A charter does mention a mill of Adziel that was granted to the students of Theology, New College, University of
Aberdeen in 1504 (Spalding Club 1847)ix. However, the late date suggests this mill is the one marked as Newton on
the map (Fig.7). Being circumstantial evidence a site visit and walk-over survey of Z2 would be needed to identify
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
7
the practicality of a mill at this location regarding gradient and rate of water-flow, before further methods of
prospection are employed.
4.2.5 Z3 Church and Ladywell
Church
Officially Strichen did not have a church building until 1620, and then only in 1633 was it made a parish by act of
Parliament (Jarvis A 1879)x. This absence of a church in the community is evident with the existence of a Corps Road
that the dead of Strichen were carried along to be buried in Rathen 9 miles away. A Font Stone, on top of Mormond
Hill halfway along this road, is additional evidence marking the place where the minister of Rathen would meet the
parishioners of Strichen for baptism.
Although there are no mentions of a church in the William Charter there is secondary evidence to the contrary. Two
separate accounts refer to the same instance of the Duchess of Buchan, Marjory daughter of Fergus and Wife of
William, gifting the parish of Strichen along with other to the Monks of Arbroath at the time of William the Lion
(Shaw 1827, Watts 1900)xi.
The primary source of the accounts is a charter and if identified it may justify further prospection to find this earlier
Church. The discovery of a Pict Church beneath Talbots church gives the possibility that a similar situation existed
on this Site (Carver M 2004)xii
. (The hockey-stick enclosure mention in Pre-History may have a bearing on this).
The possibility of further prospection under the 1799 church that replaced the 1620 is made easier for it was gutted
of timber in 1975. Today it is a roofed shell owned by Aberdeenshire Council. The exposed floor enables further non-
invasive investigation like Ground Radar, or the cheaper but invasive option of test-pitting, to take place in order to
ascertain the value of the archaeology here.
Fig.8
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
8
Ladywell
The existence of the Ladywell on the site may also provide evidence to justify an early Christian presence. Its actualwhereabouts is sketchy as the map of the RCAHMS places it on the platform of the redundant railway station, and
although Aberdeenshires SMR uses the same grid references, the SMR places it over 1.5km east on its map.
However a well depicted on the 1st
edition OS map on the south bank of the river Ugie just north of the graveyard,
seems a more plausible location. If substantiated its importance increases for such wells were often adopted from
earlier pagan sites. By naming it after St Mary also points to the period of Scottish Christianity before the influence of
the Church of Rome began in earnest around the time of Marjory and William. The Church of Rome would eventually
outlaw pilgrimage to such sites, which adds to notion of its antiquity (Walker R 1883)xiii
.
The archaeological potential of such a site is subject to the imagination of the site director, for it entertains the
possibility of containing pagan, early Christian, medieval and post medieval artefacts. A simple walk-over survey
may locate the well off the map, but excavation would be needed to confirm its function and to what period.
Fig.9
4.2.6 Z4 Settlement
Because of its relationship with the settlement shown on Roys Mapxiv
and its proximity between the church and
irregular wooded enclosure already discussed, the filed to the south of the church yard has been selected as a
plausible site of occupation, and the zone warranting a discussion on further prospection.
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
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Fig.10
5. Proposed Further Prospection of Z4 Settlement
The fields potential to survey for potential archaeology is made easier because by 1799 the whole surface less the
graveyard and Manse had been cleared of urban habitation. Its present function for agriculture gives an open
levelled working area ideal to set up a survey grid needed to perform more advance scientific non-invasive
procedures. Its ease of access is also a selecting factor for it enables the wider community to engage with surveying
techniques such as field walking and metal detecting thereby promoting archaeology within the community.
Because of the open nature of the field most of the non-invasive methods could be employed like Ground
Penetrating Radar, Thermal Infra Red Imergry and Magetomery. But considering the cost of such equipment and the
need for skilled operators to work it, the Resistivity Method is adequate in this instance for detecting the desirable
features of filled trenches and structure.
Fig.11
Working travesty across the field a team of two could survey the whole field within a day. Considering that
occupation ended just over 200 years ago the archaeology is expected to be of no great depth. The red circle areas
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Andrew David Sturdy KL205N Archaeological Methods &
Student ID 5080099 Assignment One Techniques Prospection
December 2012
10
on Fig.11 are of interest for the dark colouring of the grass denotes a greater depth of top soil and may indicate filled
in pits or robber trenches.
Using probes set one meter apart would give a survey depth of around 3 4 meters. The quick interpreted of the
data using computer software in producing a recognisable map, is beneficial to the archaeologist but also gives
instant feedback to the community, keeping them engaged with the investigation.
Once individual features/households are known, they can be targeted for future invasive evaluation to gain
knowledge of the possible status and employment of their previous occupants. Adding to the understanding of life in
a Buchan settlement.
6. Conclusion
The enigma of the Site is that although today it as an assemblage of quiet fields that house a redundant dilapidating
church, in a former existence it was a hive of community. Bronze Age evidence in the area suggests that this
community is ancient and may have been the first of a period of unbroken occupation from the mid second
millennium BC to 1763. However it is only with the advent of written history in the 13th
century, that a settlement
can be placed here with any certainty. This settlement had a mill and an owner of status that pledged military service
to his overlord. Speculation suggest on, or before, this time an early Christian presence may have been active on the
Site, and the presence of the Ladywell may confirm an even older belief system that was once observed here. The
Site being clear of modern habitation makes it easily accessible for further prospection, and the gains to be made in
the understanding of a post medieval settlement in Buchan, justifies the time and expense required to implement
these procedures.
iRoyal Commision on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/, Nov 2012
iiAberdeenshire Council http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/default.aspx , Nov 2012
iiiStrichen Estate Map, 1843 Micro-film, Strichen Library
ivTocher J.F. 1910, The Book of Buchan, The Buchan Club, Peterhead, Page 135-137
vRegistrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis, 1845, Ecclesis Cathedralis Aberdonenensis Regesta Que Extant in Unum, Page 14-15
viTait, A A (1980) The landscape garden in Scotland 1735-1835
viiAdziel House, Crop Mark,http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049Nov 2012
viii Cruden S. 1948, The Horizontal water-mill at Dounby, Orkney, Chapter 4 Page 43,
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_081/81_043_047.pdfixSpalding Club 1847, Illustrations of the topography and antiquities of the shires of Aberdeen and Banff, page 64
http://archive.org/stream/illustrationsoft04robe#page/64/mode/1upx
Jarvis A., Epitaphs and inscriptions from burial grounds and old buildings in the North East of Scotland, Douglas, Edinburgh,
Page135-144xi
Shaw Lachlan 1827, The History of the province of Moray, Morison, Glasgow; Watt William 1900, The History of
Aberdeenshire and Banff, Blackwood, Edinburghxii
Carver M 2004, An Iona of the East: The Early-medieval Monastery at Portmahomack, Tarbat Ness,
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/1830/1/carverm2.pdfDec 2012xiii
Walker Russel 1883, Holy Wells in Scotland, Proceedings of the Society, Chapter 4 page 152xiv
Roy W. 1747, Military Survey of Scotland,http://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.htmlNov 2012
http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_081/81_043_047.pdfhttp://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_081/81_043_047.pdfhttp://archive.org/stream/illustrationsoft04robe#page/64/mode/1uphttp://archive.org/stream/illustrationsoft04robe#page/64/mode/1uphttp://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/1830/1/carverm2.pdfhttp://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/1830/1/carverm2.pdfhttp://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.htmlhttp://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.htmlhttp://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.htmlhttp://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.htmlhttp://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/1830/1/carverm2.pdfhttp://archive.org/stream/illustrationsoft04robe#page/64/mode/1uphttp://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_081/81_043_047.pdfhttp://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/