Ancient burial site halts work on new EK sports complex

Aug 8 2007 By Eddie Docherty, East Kilbride News

WORK on a section of a multi-million pound sports development has been brought to a standstill following the discovery of a prehistoric burial site.

The site was found on an area of land off Markethill Road and Mains Road near Nerston, which is currently being developed for a golf course, driving range, tennis court and five-a-side football facility.

A time team from Glasgow University’s Archeological Division is now trying to ascertain the age and nature of the site, located in the area known as Law Knowe.

Early indications from the team say the find is a cairn dating back to the bronze age.

The discovery was made by contractors preparing the site for Playgolf Holdings, who plan to build a nine hole golf course on the land.

After unearthing what they thought were ancient graves, they immediately sealed the area off and contacted the relevant authorities.

An archeologist has now been on the site since Monday and is currently excavating it to determine its age and record its findings.

Some artifacts and clues on its nature — such as pieces of flint — have already been unearthed.

However, it will require further examination to determine whether it is something more substantial that would need to be preserved.

Most observers agree, however, that this is unlikely to be the case and its findings are likely to be recorded and taken elsewhere.

They also claim it is highly unlikely any human remains will be found given the high acidic nature of the land in which the site sits.

Work on the 36-hectare £10 million development to replicate some of golfs most famous holes, began only three weeks ago and contractors first came across the burial site last Tuesday.

David Postins a director of Playgolf Holdings Ltd, said: “When we were made aware of it we immediately stopped all the work in that area as the last thing we want to do is drive a bulldozer through a historical site.

“We then contacted Glasgow University’s Archeological Division and it is now working on the site.

“We’ve been told they could spend five or six weeks finding out what the discovery is.

“We’ve plenty to be going on with in other parts on the site so we don’t expect it to hold things up too much.”

Local historian Bill Niven claimed the site will almost certainly be an ancient Pictish one.

He said: “From what I’ve heard, it sounds to me to be a Pictish tumuli which was a grave for Pict chiefs.

“There are recorded Pictish sites in this area so we have known they were around.

“The last known recorded ones disappeared around 1940, so this is an interesting find.”

Joe Allan from the East Kilbride History Society said it was now important for the proper procedures to be followed.

He said: “There is a thorough process which should be adhered to with regard to these sites and we’d hope it is carried out in full.”