Excavation of a Neolithic occupation site at Chapelfield, Cowie, Stirling

Abstract

The prehistoric occupation site at Chapelfield, Cowie, Stirlingshire had three phases of use, radiocarbon-dated to the Mesolithic, early Neolithic and middle Neolithic periods. The earliest phase was represented by three pits, which contained carbonized remains, dated to between the seventh and fifth millennium bc. The second phase of occupation was marked by a further group of pits with structured deposition of artefacts, including carinated bowls and pitchstone blades. This phase may also have seen the occupation of a series of small oval structures which post-date the phase one pits. The oval structures were constructed of stakes with no marked entrance and few internal features. The final phase of activity was marked by one pit (IV), which contained Beaker pottery and carbonized material which gave a radiocarbon date of 3050–2450 cal bc. This pit was accompanied by two circular structures with double walls constructed of stakes, central posts and east facing entrances.