ARO68: Iron Age and early medieval settlement at Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire

By Moyra Simon, Alison Cameron and Gordon Noble

With contributions by Susan Ramsay, Gemma Cruickshanks, Julie Lochrie and Ann Clarke

A substantial middle Iron Age settlement was found at Cruden Bay, with traces of early medieval activity. Radiocarbon dating indicated occupation from c. 300 cal BC to 235 cal AD. Analysis of pottery, lithics, vitrified materials, and plant remains provided insights into the settlement’s domestic activities, craft production (including possible metalworking), and the environment. The site exhibited evidence of prolonged use, with lithic artefacts suggesting activity from the Late Upper Palaeolithic onwards.

Key Words: Middle Iron Age, late Upper Palaeolithic, Bronze Age, early Medieval, roundhouse, enclosures, gullies, pottery, lithics

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