Digging deep into Scotland’s Mesolithic past

An archaeological excavation took place in Aberdeenshire over the weekend.

The Marr area committee agreed to award £1990 in November 2018 in grant funding to Mesolithic Deeside to carry out the excavation at a site in Aboyne from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24.

Prehistoric flints were discovered in farmland at Heughhead by the late landowner Evan Duncan. Later Doug Riach retrieved more flint whilst jogging in the area in 1990. He brought these finds to the attention of Mesolithic Deeside, a group which focusses on the Mesolithic period.

An excavation in 2017 revealed further Mesolithic and Nordic tools in the area but as the samples of soil did not contain charcoal the archaeologists were unable to date them, which is why Mesolithic Deeside applied for funding from the committee in the hope that this weekend’s excavation will uncover a date.

Aberdeenshire Council’s archaeologist, Bruce Mann said: ‘The structure and flints that were found provides new knowledge of prehistoric Aberdeenshire, which will inform future management of the archaeology in this area. The enthusiasm of the local community was truly fantastic, with large numbers of all ages getting out and taking part in the work, contributing towards our understanding of the site.’

Councillor Moira Ingleby, Aberdeenshire Council’s Marr area committee chair, said: ‘On behalf of the Marr area committee, I would like to wish Mesolithic Deeside the very best of luck in their archaeological excavation. Their work will shine an important light on how those who inhabited Marr many decades ago lived.

‘The grant awarded to Mesolithic Deeside is also an excellent example of how area committees play a vital role in supporting local causes.’