Little House in the Mountains? A small Mesolithic structure from the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland

Abstract

This paper describes a small Mesolithic structure from the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland. Excavations at Caochanan Ruadha identified a small oval structure (c. 3m x 2.2m) with a central fire setting, in an upland valley (c.540 m asl). The site was occupied at c. 8200 cal BP and demonstrates hunter-gatherer use of the uplands during a period of significant climatic deterioration. The interpretation of the structure is primarily based on the distribution of the lithic assemblage, as the heavily podsolised soils have left no trace of light structural features. The lithic assemblage is specialised, dominated by microlith fragments, and functional analysis has identified different uses of different areas inside the structure. The identification of small, specialised Mesolithic sites is unusual and this paper will discuss the evidence for the presence of the structure and its use, compare it to other Mesolithic structures in Britain and highlight some methodological implications.

Modelling long-term blanket peatland development in eastern Scotland

“…As a result, two Q 10 values are used in this study. A Q 10 value of 2.2 is used for temperatures above 5 • C, and 3.7 is used for temperatures between −4 and 5 • C. Below −4 • C, the decomposition is assumed to cease completely (Chapman and Thurlow, 1998;Rosswall, 1973 as cited by Clymo, 1984;Wieder and Yavitt, 1994;Wu, 2012). The biological module runs on an annual timescale.…”

Mesolithic Fireplaces and the Enculturation of Early Holocene Landscapes in Britain, with a Case Study from Western Scotland

“…While arguments based on the 'unusual' can be persuasive, the dilemma they present is that the social and symbolic is detached from the everyday life of the Mesolithic as represented by the vast majority of its archaeological evidence. Warren (2005), Spikins et al (2010), and MacInnes (2016) have indicated a way forward by drawing attention to the social significance of fireplaces.…”

“…Fireplaces in Mesolithic Britain are predominately interpreted as evidence for cooking, potentially involving a variety of methods such as steaming, baking, and roasting on hot stones (Milner 2009), as is the case for those from elsewhere in Europe (eg, the Netherlands, Peters & Niekus 2017;Finland, Sikk 2016). Cooking was certainly an important function of fireplaces, and needs further investigation, along with the use of fireplaces for preparing resins, heating flint, and supporting other functional tasks whether by the heat or light they provide (Warren 2005). In this contribution, however, I will focus on the social role of the fireplace within Mesolithic communities.…”

The Interpretation of Mesolithic Structures in Britain: New Evidence from Criet Dubh, Isle of Mull, & Alternative Approaches to Chronological Analysis for Inferring Occupation Tempos & Settlement Patterns

“…The excavators are appropriately cautious when making their interpretations of the features at these sites: a 'light windbreak" or a hollow sheltered by an angled roof at Cass-ny-Hawin I (Woodman 1985, 18); a structure that was "a place of intense activity" at Star Carr (Conneller et al 2012(Conneller et al , 1012; "a light timber frame with tent or other lightweight covering …of impermanent construction" at Low Hauxley (Waddington & Bonsall 2016, 267), and no more than "post-circles" at Elgin (Suddaby 2007). Mithen et al 2000); and constrained artefact distributions from Caochanan Ruadha (southern Cairngorms, Warren et al 2018). A cluster of stake and post holes, scoops, pits and shallow hollows interpreted as a several 2-3m diameter Mesolithic structures and a windbreak have recently been excavated at Links House, Orkney (Lee and Woodward, forthcoming).…”