Excavations undertaken during the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) led to several archaeological discoveries, including evidence of Roman army activity, and Palaeolithic artefacts dating to 13000 BC.
At Milltimber evidence for stone production by Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer communities were discovered, dating to between 13000 and 10000 BC. Also, in the area around 90 bread ovens were found, dating from around 83/84 AD. They are thought to be linked to the Roman army invasion led by General Agricola. Other finds from the area include a well-preserved Neolithic Beaker pot.
At Standingstones in the hills to the west of Dyce, a structure from around 7000 BC was uncovered. A Bronze Age roundhouse and cremation complex were found at Nether Beanshill, dating from about 1600 to 1250BC. At Goval a hub of Iron Age activity was discovered dating from the first and second centuries AD.
According to Bruce Mann, archaeologist for Aberdeenshire, these finds provide insight into the history and culture of the British North-East, and push back known human activity in the region by at least 2000 years. A limited edition book detailing the archaeological project is to be published later in the year.
(after The Press and Journal)