Excavations at the Mull of Galloway, Monday 22 to Saturday 27 August 2022
Join AOC Archaeology Group for a new programme of investigation at the Mull of Galloway.
The Mull of Galloway forms the southernmost tip of the Rhins peninsula. A pair of huge earthworks run from north-west to south-east, effectively cutting off the Mull from the rest of the peninsula, and creating what may be the largest Iron Age enclosure in Scotland. However, while the earthworks are assumed to be Iron Age in date, this has never been proved by scientific analysis, and the function of the resulting enclosed space is unclear.
As part of the Rhins Revealed Community Archaeology Project led by Dumfries and Galloway Council, AOC Archaeology Group will be to undertaking limited excavations to collect soil samples that will be analysed using a cutting-edge method of dating. A programme of Optically Stimulated Luminesence (OSL) dating, led by the University of St Andrews’ Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences, will shed new light on the Mull, providing the first scientific dates for the construction of the earthworks.
Participants are invited to join AOC’s archaeologists in excavating a series of targeted trenches which will seek to build on what is already known about the construction of the earthworks, while adding valuable new information about their date. No previous experience in archaeological fieldwork is required since full training and all equipment will be provided.
If you would like to take part in work at the Mull of Galloway, please complete the registration form: https://forms.office.com/r/4TmU3xsFgT
AOC will get in touch nearer the time to confirm arrangements.