This week at Tarmac’s Cheviot Quarry we’ve found exciting new evidence for an Early Neolithic structure. A total of three Early Neolithic pit clusters have now been found, each producing sherds of Carinated Bowl as well as deposits of ash and burnt stone. These have been interpreted as midden pits for the disposal of waste. One of these midden pits even contained a fragment from a broken quern stone, used for the grinding of flour, and some fragments of bone.
A number of substantial postholes have been found surrounding one of the pit clusters which has, on further investigation, revealed itself to be a rectangular house-type structure measuring 9 x 8m. At least three of the postholes have produced Carinated Bowl which securely dates the structure to the Early Neolithic period, around 4000 – 3600BC.
Rupert, our Projects Officer on site, said: ‘I have been involved in multiple excavations at Cheviot Quarry over the past five years and despite finding tantalising evidence of localised Early Neolithic activity I always felt that discovering structural features would elude me. I was genuinely excited therefore to finally find evidence for an Early Neolithic post-built structure during the present phase of fieldwork. Discoveries of this nature are uncommon and to have the opportunity to investigate this rare heritage resource is wonderful.’
Eight postholes have so far been identified within the structure but the careful cleaning and excavating process will continue to discover the full extent and form of this fascinating site.