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News in 2015

2016 Current Archaeology Awards

Research Project of the Year Nomination posted December 2015

We are delighted to announce that Bannockburn: Scotland's seminal battlefield rediscovered by GUARD Project Manager Warren Bailie and published in Current Archaeology earlier this year, has been nominated in the Research Project of the Year category in the 2016 Current Archaeology Awards!

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Pits with Precious Goods: early Neolithic ritual deposition in south-west Scotland posted October 2015

Archaeological excavations in advance of an extension to Snabe Quarry revealed pits and structures from the late Mesolithic (eighth millennium BC) until the early Neolithic (fourth millennium BC) when a concentration of activity coincided with the importation of pitchstone from the Isle of Arran and a polished stone axe fragment from Cumbria.

School pupils from St Ninian's Primary School uncovering the medieval harbour of Cambuskenneth Abbey © GUARD Archaeology Ltd

Glimpse of medieval trade revealed along the River Forth posted October 2015

Over two weeks in September, the Cambuskenneth Harbours project brought together a wide range of experts and local volunteers to investigate the medieval harbour of Cambuskenneth Abbey, which lies on the River Forth near Stirling. Founded by David I in around 1140, Cambuskenneth Abbey had a strong influence on the development of medieval Stirling.

The Great Drain Archaeological Dig

The Great Drain Archaeological Dig posted August 2015

Come and discover more about Paisley Abbey as GUARD Archaeology's research continues and Paisley's fascinating story unfolds. Led by GUARD Archaeologist, Bob Will, a team of local volunteers will be seeking to uncover more secrets about Paisley's historic past.

The Robert the Bruce Monument © GUARD Archaeology

Finding the Battle of Bannockburn posted June 2015

Bannockburn is the most iconic battle of Scottish history and was the key battle in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Fought over two days, the 23 and 24 of June 1314, the battle was a resounding victory for Robert I's army over a much larger force led by Edward II of England.

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Ancient routeway road revealed in Argyll posted May 2015

Analysis of finds from the archaeological excavation carried out at Tigh Caol in Argyll last year by GUARD Archaeology Ltd have revealed startling new evidence for medieval travel and the impact of market forces and central government in the Scottish Highlands.

Training survey of a bloomery mound on the Tamheich Burn, Cowal © GUARD Archaeology Ltd.

Investigating medieval bloomery sites in Argyll posted May 2015

GUARD Archaeology and Forestry Commission Scotland are seeking volunteers to take part in a new project based on the shores of Loch Eck in Argyll during the Spring and Summer of 2015 and over the Winter months into 2016.

The 2012 dig © GUARD Archaeology Ltd

Abbots, Kings and Lost Harbours: Looking for Cambuskenneth Watergate posted March 2015

GUARD Archaeology are pleased to report that we have been commissioned as part of the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) and on behalf of Stirling Council to go back and investigate the medieval harbours, piers and fording points around Cambuskenneth Abbey in September 2015.

Location of Monkton

Pits, pots and pitchstone posted February 2015

Post-excavation analysis, led by Christine Rennie, of the results of a GUARD Archaeology excavation carried out in 2011 in advance of a housing development in Monkton in Ayrshire, has revealed evidence of intermittent human occupation of this landscape from the Mesolithic through the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age, right up into the medieval and post-medieval periods.