Abstract
FURTHER progress is reported in the excavation of the prehistoric 'temple' at Clydebank, Dumbartonshire, of which Mr. Ludovic Mann is in charge. The central area of the site, in which are a large number of inhumed and cremated interments of the stone and bronze ages, is estimated to have a diameter of six hundred feet. A recent discovery, reported in The Times of September 19, is that of the remains of a circular walled enclosure, 43 feet in diameter, at a distance of 2191 ft. from the main centre, which is now in course of being uncovered. In the walling to the north-west has been found a large rectangular stone. In contact with this was a fallen pillar-stone. This seems to have formed part of an altar-like structure. The pillar-stone had been shaped, and on cleaning showed traces of what are described as serpentine devices in black and red pigments—a discovery which, if confirmed by further examination, appears to be unique in British archaeology. At a distance of 55 ft. from the centre of this stone ring, and on the same radius as the stone and pillar, was another large fallen upright stone. Many of the finds on this site, which include five different types of pottery, are said to be unique in character and technique. A large number of socket holes have been discovered, which contain decayed and carbonized wood, apparently largely of oak. The 'temple' seems to have consisted to a great extent of earthworks, of which the layout is indicated by the postholes along the margins. Traces of a circle of nineteen large equidistantly set monoliths have been detected at a distance of 129 ft. radius from the main centre. It is evident that this site is of considerable importance and complexity, and that careful excavation and planning will be necessary before its true character and purpose can be determined.
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Prehistoric Scottish 'Temple'. Nature 142, 566 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/142566b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/142566b0