2.5 Research Recommendations

This section presents the agenda themes for the Late Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in Perth and Kinross. Some are nested under the overarching PKARF theme headings aimed at addressing wider multi-period priorities and others are period-based and specific to the scope of this chapter. Where appropriate, a short explanatory note is provided detailing underlying period-based thematic priorities which is then followed by the research questions generated to address them.

Environment

The Mesolithic environment of Perth and Kinross can only be described in general terms and is poorly understood because of the relative paucity of pollen cores and related palaeoenvironmental research. Dawson et al’s ‘Ice Age to Modern’ report (2014) provides a valuable synthesis of the data relating to sea level change in the Tay estuary as well as signposting to other relevant works such as Whittington et al’s (1991) core sample studies at Black Loch near the Grange of Lindores, Fife. Likewise, Dixon’s (2016, 12) work in Loch Tay and Miller and Ramsay’s (2016, 15) analysis of environmental samples from the lower slopes of Ben Lawers offer much needed data for reconstructing the upland Mesolithic environment. The Late Mesolithic radiocarbon dates amongst the wide range of dates from the submerged tree remains at Craggantoul, Loch Tay (Dixon 2007) are a reminder of the potential of such sites in Perth and Kinross for developing long native tree-ring chronologies. Such a chronology has been established for native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) elsewhere in the Scottish Highlands; this enables the reconstruction of past climates, woodland characterisation and dating applications. (Wilson et al 2011). The SERF project excavations around Dunning have provided additional environmental data; however, their surveys failed to find suitable water-logged locations for taking contiguous pollen core samples with sufficient depth needed to obtain data to characterise the Mesolithic environment. The surveys extended into the Ochils beyond the three parishes of the SERF project area but due to the rich, well-draining agricultural soils of Strathearn were unsuccessful in identifying suitable pollen core sites.

Upland and Lowland Relationships

No evidence of settlement structures has yet been identified in Perth and Kinross. However, Mesolithic dwellings have been found nearby along the Fife coast at Morton and Fife Ness, which demonstrates the potential for similar structures to have existed in the region. Efforts should focus on their discovery in both upland and lowland contexts.

Periods of Transition

All of our currently known Mesolithic sites include later prehistoric activity. Understanding the relationships between periods of activity on these sites is a priority for appreciating the importance of places to people across chronological time spans.

Pits and Pit Alignments

Examples of pits and pit alignment sites remain sparse across the region, identifying more of these and understanding how they functioned whether for subsistence, non-subsistence or a combination of both purposes is of importance.

Material Culture: Lithic Assemblages

The successes of fieldwalking projects such as the TayLP Early Settlers within the region and Mesolithic Deeside in Aberdeenshire (see Wickham-Jones et al 2021) evidence the value and great potential of conducting systemic and targeted fieldwalking supported by detailed analysis. More work of this nature needs to be carried out through applied best practice, as recently set-out in Guidance for Investigating and Managing Lithic Scatter Sites in Scotland (Wickham-Jones 2020).

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