Index

Pottery Small Finds

Bibliography

Catalogue
 

Pottery Small Finds

112 sherds and 9 unassignable and uncatalogued crumbs of pottery were recovered during the 1999 season. The material is of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age date and belongs to ten vessels in seven fabric groups. Proportions and sizes are largely unreconstructable due to the low numbers of surviving diagnostic sherds (rims and bases especially). Consequently, all reconstructed profiles are partial and suggested. In many cases ceramic tradition is far from certain. 

The material was examined using a hand lens of x10 magnification and placed in fabric groups on that basis. The classification of the fabric was based on the categories suggested by Orton, Tyers & Vince (1993, 231-241), but slightly modified to take into account the more variable nature of prehistoric pottery. While Orton, Tyers & Vince use 'feel' as a category of classification it was felt that the surface damage to much of the Dunragit pottery precluded such a division. A classification of fabric thickness on a three point scale of thin (10mm or less), moderate (10-15mm) and thick (15mm or more) was added.

Fabric group 1 consists of small portions of two vessels of a thick fabric tempered with grog and metasediment and some rock fragments, quartzite, clay pellets and limestone. Both vessels appear to be parts of relatively large bowls, most probably in the plain Grooved Ware tradition. Vessel 1 (fig. X.x) is too poorly preserved to allow reconstruction of the form. Vessel 2 (fig. X.x) is slightly closed, with a plain, slightly flattened rim. It is not possible to estimate the rim diameter from the surviving sherds. No sherds of either vessel are decorated, although vessel 1 has a smoothed surface above the 'shoulder'.

Fabric group 2 consists of portions of two vessels of a moderately thick fabric tempered with quartzite, grog, metasediment, and rock fragments (possibly including limestone). Both vessels are large jar-like pots and although the fabrics are very similar, the vessels themselves differ. Vessel 3 (fig. X.x) is very weakly biconical in form. A rim daimeter cannot be reconstructed from the single surviving rim sherd, and the vessel appears to be undecorated, except for a single instance of what appears to be grass-wiping. This occurs above the weak shoulder, below which the vessel is heavily encrusted with a thick deposit which obscures much of the surface. Vessel 4 (fig. X.x) has a more upright rim than Vessel 3 (again, the diameter cannot be reconstructed), and from the rim, through the only very slightly concave neck, to immediately beneath the shoulder, is decorated with lines of coarse twisted cord. The remainder of the vessel appears to be plain, although again much of the surface is obscured and sooted.

Fabric group 3 consists of two vessels of a moderately thick faberic tempered with limestone, grog, rock fragments, metasediment, quartzite, and possibly shell. Vessel 5 (fig. X.x) is of uncertain form: no rim survives, but the reconstructable portion of the profile suggests a large open jar. Lower portions of the vessel are grass-wiped, and one sherd bears eight jabbed impressions. Vessel 6 (fig. X.x) is probably similar. In this instance the single surviving rim sherd bears four lines of coarse twisted cord impression. Vessels 5 and 6 are certainly of the same fabric group, but it cannot be stated with certainty that they are either Grooved Ware or Domestic Beaker vessels.

Fabric group 4 consists of sherds of a single fine Beaker (vessel 6: fig. X.x). Inclusions consist of grog, metasediment and rock fragments, with quartzite, limestone and possibly shell. No rims survive and the surviving sherds are too fragmentary to allow the form to be reconstructed. A sherd from the upper portion of the vessel bears seven lines of fine twisted cord; a lower portion bears four coarser lines, more broadly spaced. This vessel finds parallels in those listed and illustrated in Gibson (1982, i, 145; ii, 377) under Dunragit, Torrs Warren, and under Luce Bay (Glenluce) (ibid., i, 192-4; ii, 410-9) as AOC Beakers.

Fabric group five consists of a single vessel. The irregular thick fabric is tempered with rock fragments and grog. The single rim sherd bears an internal bevel which suggests Food Vessel affinities. The form, whilst uncertain, would appear to be globular. Vessel 8 is illustrated as fig. X.x. There are no immediate local parallels for this vessel. McInnes notes that vessels in the Food Vessel tradition are rare in the locality (McInnes 1964, 56), although Food Vessel and Grooved Ware were apparently found in association at Pin Dune A (Wainwright and Longworth 1971, 306).

Fabric group six is a fairly hard, fairly fine fabric. Inclusions consist of quartzite, rock fragments and grog, with some limestone and possibly shell. A single vessel (vessel 9: fig. X.x) is represented, of the Grooved Ware tradition. There are no rims, but three body sherds bear incised lines. One of these sherds also has a pair of triangular jabs. Given the generally staright and flat character of the surviving sherds, it is not possible to be absolutely certain that the decoration would form horizontal designs in all instances. This vessel falls most comfortably within class II of McInnes' catalogue of Luce Sands Pottery (McInnes 1964, 66-8).

Fabric group seven consists of a single rim sherd and a crumb. The fabric is soft and fine with rock fragments, limestone and grog inclusions. The rim appears to be heavy, thickened and out-turned, and would fit most comfortably amongst the earlier Neolithic bowl tradition. The sherds are not illustrated. McInnes (1964, 60-6) lists local parallels for this form.

The pottery reported here forms a small part of what will presumably become a much larger ceramic assemblage from the Dunragit enclosures. Given this, and given the very fragmentary nature of the vessels and the predominance of plain body sherds in the assemblage, conclusions would perhaps be premature. However, some indications can be drawn. The predominance of Grooved Ware and Beaker types would seem to indicate a later Neolithic/Early Bronze Age horizon entirely consistent with the very large timber enclosures of which Dunragit is one (see, for instance, Whittle 1997, 158-63).

All of the pottery reported on here came from a cluster of five features (unassigned crumbs came from a further three but are taken to be residual), and of these, two are easily removed: cut 293 was a small pit which contained the only sherds of Food Vessel recovered from the site (fabric group 5 vessel 8). This, taken with the feature being described as 'miscellaneous' in the context narrative is here taken to mean that both feature and pot are distinct from the actions forming the main record at Dunragit. Similarly, feature 032 (also miscellaneous) contained the only sherds of fabric group 4 vessel 7 (Beaker) and fabric group 1 vessel 1 (Grooved Ware) to be recovered. The co-occurence of these two styles is discussed below.

The other three features containing pottery form a tight cluster at the intersection of the inner pallisade, second inner pallisade, and north-west post setting D. In all of these (features 050, 054, and 084), several vessels and ceramic types are intermingled to such an extent that Beakers and Grooved Ware appear absolutely contemporary. Further work may help to bring resolution to the ceramic chronology.

Gibson, A. M. 1982. Beaker Domestic Sites. A study of the domestic pottery of the late third and early second millennia B.C. in the British Isles. (=BAR British Series 107). 2 volumes. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.

McInnes, I. J. 1964. The Neolithic and Early Bronze Age pottery from Luce Sands, Wigtownshire. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 97, 40-81.

Orton, C., Tyres, P. and Vince, A. 1993. Pottery in Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wainwright, G. J. and Longworth, I. H. 1971. Durrington Walls: Excavations 1966-1968. London: The Society of Antiquaries.

Whittle, A. 1997. Sacred Mound, Holy Rings. Silbury Hill and the West Kennet palisade enclosures: a Later Neolithic complex in north Wiltshire. (=Oxbow Monograph 74). Oxford: Oxbow Books.

Fabric Group 1 Vessel 1

Grooved Ware vessel of indeterminate form, smoothed above weak shoulder. 

Fairly hard fine thin to moderately thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
7.5YR 5/0 grey - 10YR 4/1 dark grey	10YR 5/3 brown	10YR 6/4 light yellowish brown - 10YR 3/1 very dark grey

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
clay pellets	coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded
?limestone	coarse - very coarse	sparse	good	angular
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular - angular
grog	coarse - very coarse	abundant	fair	sub-angular
metasediment	coarse - very coarse	abundant	fair	angular
quartzite	coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1030	005	1 body sherd, ?shoulder	661.053	1029.419	19.098
1036	005	1 body sherd, deposit on outer	660.956	1029.341	19.071
1040	005	1 body sherd	661.235	1029.439	19.083

Fabric Group 1 Vessel 2

Grooved Ware vessel of indeterminate form. Much of surface obscured. Some surface treatment.

Fairly hard fine thin to moderately thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 6/2 light greyish brown - 7.5YR 2/0 black	10YR 6/2 light brownish grey - 7.5YR 2/0 black	10YR 6/1 grey - 7.5YR 2/0 black

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
limestone	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - angular
rock fragments	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - angular
grog	medium - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded - sub angular
?shell	coarse	sparse	good	angular
metasediment	coarse	sparse	good	sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1018	004	1 body sherd	664.095	1034.157	19.009
1049	048	1 rim sherd	664.262	1033.731	18.872
1054	048	1 body sherd	664.236	1032.339	18.891
1058	048	1 body sherd	664.487	1032.428	18.832
1059	048	1 body sherd	664.312	1032.731	18.857
1066	048	1 body sherd	664.604	1032.282	18.912
1072	048	1 body sherd	664.397	1032.133	18.807
1074	049	1 body sherd	664.531	1032.432	18.769
1075	049	1 body sherd	664.570	1032.462	18.784
1082	049	1 body sherd	664.387	1032.554	18.758
1084	049	1 body sherd	664.426	1032.541	18.738
1087	079	1 body sherd	666.500	1032.652	18.527
1123	048	1 body sherd	664.500	1033.627	18.830
1124	048	1 body sherd	664.443	1033.661	18.826
1135	049	1 body sherd	664.401	1033.862	18.784
1138	049	1 body sherd	664.458	1033.337	18.770
1152	048	1 rim sherd	664.694	1033.603	18.822
1170	082	1 body sherd	665.899	1054.101	18.871

Fabric Group 2 Vessel 3

Domestic Beaker of uncertain form. Apparently undecorated. Much of surface below shoulder obscured. Some surface treatment.

Fairly hard irregular thin to thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 7/4 very pale brown - 10YR 4/1 dark grey	7.5YR 6/4 light brown - 5YR 5/6 yellowish red	10YR 6/3 pale brown - 2.5Y 3/0 very dark grey

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
quartzite	medium	moderate	fair	sub-angular
?limestone	fine - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - sub-angular
rock fragments	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-angular - angular
metasediment	coarse - very coarse	medium	fair	sub-angular - angular
grog	coarse - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded - sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1044	004	1 body sherd	663.866	1033.932	18.963
1057	048	1 body sherd	664.305	1032.475	18.861
1062	048	1 body sherd	664.317	1032.724	18.829
1064	048	1 body sherd	664.374	1032.639	18.849
1070	048	1 body sherd	664.548	1032.751	18.846
1088	049	1 body sherd	664.483	1031.922	18.767
1091	079	1 body sherd	666.663	1032.258	18.506
1108	004	1 body sherd	664.458	1033.978	19.038
1111	004	1 body sherd	664.484	1033.805	18.985
1114	004	3 body sherds	664.460	1034.028	18.962
1126	048	1 rim sherd	664.528	1033.475	18.819
1127	048	1 body sherd	664.573	1033.417	18.816
1128	048	1 body sherd	664.427	1033.943	18.790
1129	048	1 body sherd	664.475	1033.583	18.781
1132	048	1 body sherd	664.543	1034.055	18.804
1137	049	3 body sherds	664.453	1033.631	18.786
1139	049	1 body sherd	664.462	1033.504	18.777
1151	048	1 base sherd	664.725	1033.703	18.822
1153	048	1 body sherd	664.751	1033.429	18.821
1162	078	1 body sherd	666.750	1033.960	18.584

Fabric Group 2 Vessel 4

Domestic Beaker of uncertain form. From rim to shoulder decorated with impressed twisted cord. Below obscured, although apparently plain.

Fairly hard, irregular, thin to thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 4/1 dark grey - 5Y 6/1 grey	7.5YR 2/0 black - 10YR 7/4 very pale brown	2.5YR 2/0 black - 10YR 6/4 light reddish brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
limestone	coarse - very coarse	sparse	poor	rounded - sub-angular
rock fragments	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - angular
grog	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - sub-angular
metasediment	medium - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-angular - angular
quartzite	coarse - very coarse	variable	fair	rounded - angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1007	004	1 body sherd	667.131	1033.645	18.955
1022	004	1 body sherd	664.294	1033.614	18.981
1025	004	1 rim sherd	664.331	1033.735	18.974
1028	004	1 body sherd	664.256	1033.716	18.978
1029	004	1 rim sherd	664.203	1033.556	18.960
1031	004	1 body sherd	664.318	1033.699	18.939
1033	004	1 body sherd	664.081	1033.847	18.976
1034	004	1 body sherd	663.954	1033.476	18.975
1038	004	1 body sherd	664.272	1033.931	18.974
1041	004	1 body sherd	664.021	1033.436	18.928
1043	004	1 base sherd	664.014	1034.108	18.940
1048	004	1 body sherd	663.995	1033.658	18.916
1051	048	1 body sherd	664.159	1033.673	18.884
1069	048	1 base sherd	664.555	1037.838	18.852
1071	048	1 body sherd	664.278	1032.062	18.805
1089	049	1 body sherd	664.406	1032.008	18.762
1092	049	1 body sherd	664.412	1031.892	18.794
1106	004	1 body sherd	671.954	1033.719	19.064
1109	004	1 body sherd	664.430	1034.056	18.990
1110	004	1 body sherd	664.456	1033.951	18.987
1115	004	1 body sherd	664.541	1033.950	18.954
1116	004	1 body sherd	664.473	1033.751	18.965
1121	052	1 body sherd	666.939	1036.642	18.922
1142	049	1 body sherd	664.550	1033.457	18.749
1144	004	1 body sherd	664.745	1033.320	18.917

Fabric Group 3 Vessel 5

Grooved Ware or Domestic Beaker? Form uncertain. Some surface treatment and jabbed impressions on lower body.

Fairly hard, irregular, thin to moderately thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
7.5YR 2/0 black - 10YR 6/3 pale brown	2.5YR 2/0 black - 10YR 7/4 very pale brown	7.5YR 5/4 brown - 10YR 6/3 pale brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
limestone	coarse - very coarse	variable	very poor	sub-rounded - sub-angular
grog	coarse - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded - sub-angular
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	variable	very poor	rounded - angular
metasediment	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular
quartzite	coarse - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded - angular
?shell (voids)	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1004	004	1 body sherd	664.301	1033.625	19.069
1008	003	1 body sherd	663.803	1033.749	19.039
1013	004	1 body sherd	664.122	1033.724	18.990
1014	003	2 body sherds	666.956	1033.608	18.923
1026	004	1 body sherd	664.124	1033.622	18.972
1027	077	1 body sherd	667.144	1033.748	18.823
1032	077	1 body sherd	666.896	1033.437	18.824
1046	003	1 body sherd	666.691	1033.613	18.581
1073	077	1 body sherd	665.937	1032.461	18.720
1076	077	1 body sherd	665.949	1032.333	18.732
1077	049	1 body sherd	664.560	1032.476	18.761
1079	077	1 body sherd	665.876	1032.125	18.846
1080	077	1 body sherd	666.137	1032.718	18.729
1083	079	1 body sherd	666.782	1032.652	18.530
1090	079	1 body sherd	666.602	1032.662	18.509
1095	003	1 body sherd	666.895	1032.621	18.440
1097	003	1 body sherd	665.494	1033.340	18.945
1117	004	1 body sherd	664.440	1033.678	18.850
1118	004	1 body sherd	664.462	1033.538	18.829
1130	048	1 body sherd	664.436	1033.388	18.797
1133	048	1 body sherd	664.421	1033.861	18.784
1136	049	1 body sherd	664.453	1033.746	18.787
1140	049	1 body sherd	664.465	1033.312	18.748

Fabric Group 3 Vessel 6

Grroved Ware or Domestic Beaker? Form uncertain. Rim decorated with impressed twisted cord.

Fairly hard, fairly fine, thin to moderately thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 3/1 very dark grey - 10YR 6/6 brownish yellow	7.5YR 3/0 very dark grey - 10YR 6/3 pale brown	7.5YR 3/0 very dark grey - 10YR 6/3 pale brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-rounded - angular
limestone	medium - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded - sub-angular
grog	coarse - very coarse	variable	fair	sub-rounded
quartzite	coarse	moderate	good	sub-angular
metasediment	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1006	003	1 body sherd	666.957	1053.423	19.040
1020	077	1 body sherd	667.032	1033.829	18.897
1021	077	1 body sherd	667.001	1033.564	18.870
1024	077	3 body sherds	666.927	1033.645	18.831
1053	077	1 body sherd	665.954	1032.228	18.977
1164	085	1 body sherd	666.788	1034.164	18.773
1165	085	1 body sherd	666.783	1034.106	18.586
1175	086	1 body sherd	-	-	-
1176	086	1 rim sherd	666.003	1033.951	18.224

Fabric Group 4 Vessel 7

A Beaker of indeterminate size and form. Five of six sherds bear fine parallel impressed twisted cord lines.

Fairly hard, fine, thin fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
7.5YR 3/0 very dark grey - 10YR 4/1 dark grey	10YR 5/4 yellowish brown - 10YR 6/3 pale brown	7.5YR 6/4 light brown - 10YR 6/4 light yellowish brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
grog	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-rounded - sub-angular
quartzite	very coarse	sparse	good	sub-angular
?shell	medium - coarse	sparse	good	angular
metasediment	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular - angular
limestone	coarse - very coarse	sparse	fair	sub-angular
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	moderate	fair	sub-angular - angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1019	005	1 body sherd	661.695	1029.118	19.106
1045	005	3 body sherds	661.787	1029.273	19.124
1094	005	1 body sherd	662.110	1027.989	19.112

 

Fabric Group 5 Vessel 8

A globular Food Vessel of uncertain form.

Fairly hard, irregular, thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 4/1 dark grey - 10YR 6/4 light yellowish brown	7.5YR 3/0 very dark grey - 10YR 6/4 light yellowish brown	2.5Y 3/0 very dark grey - 7.5YR 6/4 light brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	abundant	poor	sub-angular - angular
grog	coarse	sparse	good	sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1166	257	1 body sherd	669.605	1057.204	19.062
1167	257	1 body sherd	669.803	1037.187	19.052
1168	257	2 crumbs	669.676	1037.197	19.052
1169	257	1 body sherd	669.822	1037.180	19.079
1180	257	3 crumbs	669.645	1037.319	19.097
1181	257	1 body sherd	669.649	1037.381	19.084
1182	257	1 rim sherd	669.079	1037.224	18.967

Fabric Group 6 Vessel 9

A Grooved Ware Vessel of uncertain form with incised line and jab impressions.

Fairly hard, fairly fine, thin to moderately thick fabric.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
10YR 5/3 brown - 2.5Y 6/2 light brownish grey	10YR 5/3 brown - 5YR 6/6 reddish yellow	10YR 3/1 very dark grey - 2.5Y 4/0 dark grey

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
limestone	medium - coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded
quartzite	coarse - very coarse	variable	good	sub-rounded - sub-angular
rock fragments	coarse - very coarse	variable	poor	sub-angular - angular
?shell	medium	sparse	good	sub-rounded
grog	coarse - very coarse	abundant	fair	sub-angular

Sherd List
 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1015	004	1 body sherd	664.298	1033.913	18.996
1148	048	1 body sherd	664.735	1033.316	18.316
1154	003	1 body sherd	666.972	1033.905	18.986
1163	078	1 body sherd	-	-	-

Fabric Group 7 Vessel 10

Very abraded rim fragment.

Soft, fine, fabric of unknown thickness.

Colour
 

Core	Inner Surface	Outer Surface
5Y 5/1 grey	-	10YR 6/3 pale brown

Inclusions
 

Class	Size	Frequency	Sorting	Roundness
rock fragments	coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded
limestone	coarse - very coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded
grog	medium - coarse	sparse	good	sub-rounded

 

Finds No.	Context	Description	East	North	Elevation
1001	001	1 rim sherd; 1 crumb	-	-	-