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Portencross, Auld Hill

North Ayrshire, Scotland · Atlas SC0488

Portencross, Auld Hill is a contour fort in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland.

Other names on the record: Auldhill.

It is recorded as extant, with a univallate rampart form, surface evidence of rubble and vitrification, and an enclosed area of 0.3 hectares.

Banks or ramparts are the remains most likely to be visible.

The topographic record places it on a hilltop and at 65 m.

The aspect is recorded as level.

Recorded land use includes pasture and scrub or bracken.

Dating evidence is recorded for 800–400 BC, AD 50–400, AD 400–800, and after AD 800 (Artefactual). Reliability is recorded as B - Medium.

A scheduled monument number is recorded (2175).

Location

Atlas number
SC0488 (488)
Country
Scotland
Current county or unitary authority
North Ayrshire
Historic county
Ayrshire
Parish, community, or townland
West Kilbride
National Grid reference
NS 1783 4910
Latitude
55.70108
Longitude
-4.90055
Altitude
65 m

Form and condition

Type
contour fort
Condition
Extant
Morphology
univallate
Complete rampart circuit
Yes
Number of ramparts
1
Number of ditches
1
Possible original entrances
0
Breaks through the ramparts
0
Enclosed area
0.3 ha
Enclosing works, as visible
rubble and vitrification
Enclosing works, excavated
stone wall and vitrification
Also recorded
multi-period enclosure system and ditches

Landscape

Topographic position
hilltop
Aspect
level
Land use
pasture and scrub or bracken

Dating

Dating
800–400 BC, AD 50–400, AD 400–800, and after AD 800
Dating evidence
Artefactual
Dating reliability
B - Medium

Interior and investigation

Interior excavation
pits and postholes
Finds
metal and animal bones
Investigations
1st Identified Map Depiction (1855); Other (1862); Other (1943); Other (1952); Other (1968); Other (1982); Other (1983); Excavation (1987); Excavation (1988); Excavation (1989)

Identifiers

Scheduled monument number
2175
HER
The West of Scotland Archaeology Service 5165
National record
record NS 14 NE 1; monument 40587
Wikidata
Q31095902

Sources

References

  1. Caldwell, Ewart and Triscott, D H, G and J (1998) 'Auldhill, Portencross', Archaeol J 155, 22-81.
  2. Childe and Graham, V G and A (1943) 'Some notable prehistoric and medieval monuments recently examined by The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland', Proc Soc Antiq Scot 77 (1943), 31-49
  3. Feachem, R (1963) A guide to prehistoric Scotland, London (p 109)
  4. Keddie, W (1868) 'On the remains of a vitrified fort, or site, in the island of Cumbrae, with notes on the vitrified forts of Berigonium, Glen Nevis, Craig Phadrick, Portencross, and Bute. Trans Glasgow Archaeol Soc 1 (1867)
  5. Strickertsson, Placido and Tate, K, F and J O (1988) 'Thermoluminescence dating of Scottish vitrified forts', Nuclear Tracks Radiation Measurements, 14, 317-20