Human remains that may be more than 4000 years old have been found at the base of a standing stone in Angus.
Historic Scotland commissioned archaeologists to excavate the ground around the Carlinwell Stone, at Airlie, near Kirriemuir, after it toppled over during the severe winter weather.
The remains were in two burial pots, believed by experts from Musselburgh’s CFA Archaeology to be “typical of the period between 2000 and 1600 BC.”
The pots, measuring four and eight inches in diameter, will be taken to CFA’s Edinburgh lab for testing.
CFA’s Melanie Johnson, who was involved in the two-day operation, said she was hopeful this will allow her colleagues to determine the age and gender of the remains. However, the process, which could also include radio-carbon dating, may take several months.
Ms Johnson said, “It was a nice surprise to get such good results from a fairly small trench. We had heard that remains has been discovered there in the 18th century, so it was in the back of our minds and we were aware that it was a possibility.”
She believes the discovery gives weight to the argument the stone was prehistoric and had not in fact been positioned at a later date.
Martin Brann, ancient monuments inspector, said the burial of human remains next to such monuments emphasised “the ritual or religious significance of these monuments to pre-historic farming communities.”
He added, “Prehistoric settlement in the vicinity of Airlie is evident in the form of crop marks showing on aerial photographs.
“The pottery vessels containing cremated bone found close to the foot of the standing stone are of Bronze Age type, perhaps 3500 years old, but we will have to wait for more detailed analysis of the finds for a more accurate date.”
You can find out more about the stone at www.themodernantiquarian.com
Photos courtesy of Phil Hannah Photography.