Pict's Knowe facts for kids

Pict's Knowe is an ancient circular monument called a henge. It is found in a place called Troqueer in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. This henge is one of several similar old sites located near the town of Dumfries. Another one is Broadlea henge, which is close to Annan. Pict's Knowe sits on a small, sandy bank in a valley filled with peat, next to a stream called Crooks Pow. It is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of Dumfries.

What is Pict's Knowe?

An Ancient Circular Monument

Pict's Knowe is a type of henge monument. A henge is usually a circular area that is enclosed by an earth bank and a ditch. These sites were built by people long ago, often for special ceremonies or gatherings.

How Old is Pict's Knowe?

The area around Pict's Knowe was first used by people during the early Neolithic period. This was a very long time ago, when people started farming. However, the henge itself was built later. Scientists used a method called radiocarbon dating to find out its age. They discovered that Pict's Knowe was built in the early Bronze Age. This means it is thousands of years old!

Features of the Henge

The Henge's Design

Pict's Knowe is known as a Class I henge. This means it has only one entrance. The monument enclosed a circular area that was about 20 to 25 meters (65 to 82 feet) across.

What Was Found Inside?

Archaeologists found some interesting things at the entrance of the henge. They discovered pieces of a special type of pot called a carinated urn. They also found small bits of bone that had been burned. These bones might have come from animals, but it's also possible they were human.

Changes Over Time

Later, during the Iron Age, people made some changes to Pict's Knowe. They added more material to the henge's bank, making it bigger. They also dug out the ditch again, making it deeper. On top of this, they built a platform made of wood over the ditch. This shows that the site was important to people for a very long time.

Discovering Pict's Knowe

How it Was Identified

For many years, Pict's Knowe was thought to be an old fort. It was officially protected as a "prehistoric fort" in 1928. However, in 1990, an archaeologist named Richard Bradley realized it was actually a henge. Even though some people had thought it was a henge before, this information wasn't officially recorded. So, for a while, it was just called an "earthwork" by the National Monuments Record of Scotland.

Digging for Clues

Between 1994 and 1998, an archaeologist named Julian Thomas led a team to dig up and study the site. This process is called excavation. By carefully digging and examining the layers of soil, archaeologists can learn a lot about how people lived in the past.

Damage to the Site

Over many years, Pict's Knowe has been damaged. Farm animals walking on it, rabbits digging burrows, and tree roots growing through the ground have all caused harm to this ancient monument.