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Kirk Ness has long been considered likely to be an early Christian centre, whose dedication to St Andrew may perhaps be linked with the 8th century translation of the relics of St Andrew’s to Fife. Such early dating was confirmed by a new sequence of radiocarbon dates from excavations carried out in 1999–2006. A number of finds support this interpretation, including pottery of a previously unknown type, perhaps from a monastic community associated with an early church.
The site continued in use as the medieval and early post-medieval parish and burgh church of St Andrew, though several building phases beginning with a simple Romanesque structure, until its demise in the mid-17th century, a casualty of coastal erosion. Associated domestic occupation probably relates to a priests’ house perhaps with a hospice for pilgrims. In the medieval period Kirk Ness and its harbour appears to have been an important staging point for pilgrims on route to the shrine of St Andrew in Fife, providing the principal revenue for the nearby nunnery of North Berwick. Finds include a number of items of particular significance – coarse stone tools, lead objects, ceramic fragments and a bone of a great auk from early medieval deposits. The associated medium-sized cemetery population of 12th–17th century date displays notable contrasts in burial practice and osteological analysis established that one individual met with a violent death. Grave goods included a 12th century hair pin and a 17th century silk-covered tunic button with silver wire embroidery found together in the grave of a young female.
The site continued in use as the medieval and early post-medieval parish and burgh church of St Andrew, though several building phases beginning with a simple Romanesque structure, until its demise in the mid-17th century, a casualty of coastal erosion. Associated domestic occupation probably relates to a priests’ house perhaps with a hospice for pilgrims. In the medieval period Kirk Ness and its harbour appears to have been an important staging point for pilgrims on route to the shrine of St Andrew in Fife, providing the principal revenue for the nearby nunnery of North Berwick. Finds include a number of items of particular significance – coarse stone tools, lead objects, ceramic fragments and a bone of a great auk from early medieval deposits. The associated medium-sized cemetery population of 12th–17th century date displays notable contrasts in burial practice and osteological analysis established that one individual met with a violent death. Grave goods included a 12th century hair pin and a 17th century silk-covered tunic button with silver wire embroidery found together in the grave of a young female.
Table of Contents
Preface CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2. IRON AGE
CHAPTER 3. KIRK NESS IN THE EARLYMEDIEVAL PERIOD
CHAPTER 4. KIRK NESS IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY POSTREFORMATION
PERIOD
CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSION
APPENDICES IN PRINT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
CD
CHAPTER 2. IRON AGE
CHAPTER 3. KIRK NESS IN THE EARLYMEDIEVAL PERIOD
CHAPTER 4. KIRK NESS IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY POSTREFORMATION
PERIOD
CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSION
APPENDICES IN PRINT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
CD