Neolithic farming halls older than Stonehenge discovered beneath school
An early neolithic timber hall was found under a school in Scotland, and archaeologists believe that Scotland could be a ceremonial place for the first agricultural communities.
The ruins of the “international important” hall, which was older than Stonehenge, were found under two school football fields for Carnoustie High School in Angus.
The site, which was first discovered in 2017, is being investigated by Guard archeology. It is believed to be the largest hall in Scotland.
Archeology Group, the discovery of the hall and a smaller friend’s building is “extraordinary ve and contains the works around Scotland, including Arran and Highlands, as well as hazelnut shells and charred cereal grains.
Among the discovered works were a gold -decorated celtic spear tip and a sword and a very well preserved late strange ages and leather henna. It is believed to be among the best protected in the UK.
A report of the Guard Archeology suggested that the halls probably attracted farmers from a large area for holidays and celebrations. It was particularly rare to have two buildings together.
Alan Hunter Blair, who managed the field work, said: “The carnival excavation, the traces of the largest neolithic timber hall discovered so far in Scotland gave extraordinary results close to 1,000BC.
“This was a permanent structure of 35m long and 9m wide, and oak was built near the building.
Beverley Ballin Smith, the joint author of the report, said: “This monumental timber hall, which was completely alien to the culture and view of the previous Mesolithic era, was built by one of the first farmer groups to colonize Scotland in an openness in the natural forest ruins of Scotland.
“Completely created, architectural sophisticated, large, complex and necessary design, planning, execution and carpentry skills.”
The archaeological group said the smaller hall is 20 meters long and more than eight meters.
Ballin Smith said: “The landscape rising and prominent carnival halls were probably close to the routes that people might have gathered naturally in various seasons of the year.
“The presence of hazelnuts in autumn is an important indicator of this season for meeting, feast and celebration.
“Carnoustie can be a focus, [the halls’] Big enough to attract people from a much wider area.
“Some works came from distant places and represents the deliberate accumulation of Arran Pitchstone fragments, Garnet Albit-Skist Balt and a smoky quartz piece from Highlands.
“More local materials such as agate, quartz and chalcedony were found.”
Kathryn Lindsay, General Manager of Angus Council, said, “When [we] He approved the development of two open -air football fields on the Balmachie Road, and no one imagined that the process would reveal one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Scotland. “
The Council financed the necessary archaeological work as a condition of planning.
