Neolithic find at Bannockburn site

Archaeologists working at the site of a new visitor centre at Bannockburn have uncovered remains which have been carbon dated to between 2,900 and 2,600 BC.

Archaeologists working at the site of a new visitor centre at Bannockburn have uncovered charcoal material which has been carbon dated to between 2,900 and 2,600 BC. Derek Alexander, head of archaeological services for National Trust for Scotland has announced that some burnt hazel was found during trial excavations on the present car park. A larger trench, some twenty by fifteen metres, was then dug to see what else might be buried in this area, but no other significant finds were made. Burnt oak, birch and hazel have been brought out of the pit but there is nothing that indicates a major settlement and the area has now been refilled.

Derek said: 'We had hoped that the find might give us a link to a medieval settlement but instead we have evidence of something much older. We will continue to monitor work, especially when demolition work begins this autumn, and when the car park is stripped of tarmac. Staff will be on hand in case something of significance is revealed.'We will continue to monitor work, especially when demolition work begins this autumn, and when the car park is stripped of tarmac. Staff will be on hand in case something of significance is revealed.'

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