London - Archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of one of Britain's oldest homes during construction work in a field north-west of Edinburgh.
The remains are thought to be more than 10,000 years old. They were found during archaeological excavation works in preparation for building the Forth Replacement Crossing, a new bridge across the Firth of Forth.
All that is left of the house is a large oval pit, nearly seven metres in length, a handful of holes, and more than 1,000 flint artefacts, thought to be from old tools and arrowheads. It has been dated to the Mesolithic period, around 10,252 years ago.
Rod McCullagh, a senior archaeologist at Historic Scotland, said: “The radiocarbon dates that have been taken from this site show it to be the oldest of its type found in Scotland.”
The remains include a number of holes, which would have held wooden posts to support the walls and roof, probably covered with turf. Archaeologists also identified several internal fireplace hearths, and large quantities of charred hazelnut shells, suggesting whoever lived there roasted the nuts for food. - The Independent on Sunday