The Souterrain
In early 2022, following Archaeological planning advice from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, PKC appointed Guard Archaeology to carry out an advanced archaeological investigations within the footprint of the Cross Tay Link Road Project.
The dig took place from January to September 2022 and involved more than 18,000 working hours, ten placement students from the University of the Highlands and Islands, 400 members of the public plus local school pupils and universities from further afield.
Seeking to determine “the presence, extent and significance of any known or unknown archaeology” Guard conducted an initial metal detecting survey at Broxy Kennels Fort.
Warren Baillie of Guard Archaeology commented, “This was one of the largest excavations of a fort of this period in a generation. A geophysical survey and evaluation revealed parts of the fort and the site was then metal detected which led to the discovery of a possible bronze axe fragment, a medieval dagger pommel, and a brooch.
“The site was then stripped of its topsoil which revealed a series of four large ditches with an entrance facing north-east, and a souterrain in the second ditch on the north side.”
The Souterrain is a dry stone built subterranean structure which would have been used for both storage and refuge. Constructed mainly of glacial erratic boulders gathered from the surrounding landscape, souterrains are a particularly important aspect of the Iron Age in Scotland.
Through the recovery, analysis and dating of samples during the excavation, an insight into the economy of the occupants, their food and fuel resources, has allowed Warren and the team at Guard Archaeology to reconstruct the changes in the fort and its environment over time.
Warren explained. “There were at least four phases of activity on and around the fort. The earliest being the Bronze Age activity, followed by the initial outer ditch of the fort, followed by two inner ditches, with the final phase being the Souterrain and the latest ditch on the north side.
“Now we can begin to piece the story of the fort together through the analysis during post excavation work to bring the results to publication.”
Telling the story of the CTLR Souterrain through Community Artwork
One of the largest and most significant community benefits carried out by the CTLR project team is the community artwork project. Following a series of community engagement events in 2023, four projects were selected and artists appointed to create the works which are located along the active travel path network.
The souterrain project, located at the Park and Choose area, is being led by artist Kate Robinson who, together with members of the project team, is recreating the excavated souterrain.