Since the completion of field excavations in mid-August 2002, work has continued on the post-excavation analysis. This has involved the re-examination and interpretation of the all of the observations made during the excavations as well as the detailed scientific analysis of all of the finds made, and of the environmental samples taken.
Samples of bone and wood have been sent to Gronigen University (Holland) for accelerated mass spectrosopy radiocarbon dating. This is a revolutionary new dating technique that works well on bone.
Analysis of the environmental data gathered during excavations is on-going at Stirling University (Dept. of Environmental Science). The analysis of pollen and seed deposits will eventually reveal details of the environmental conditions in Bronze Age Fife.
Conservation of the pottery, flint and stone finds has been completed at the National Museums of Scotland (Artefact Research Unit) and work has started on examining, illustrating and writing scientific reports on these artefacts. The pottery reports are complete and the extreme importance of this pottery assemblage has now been recognised.
Detailed research on the skeletal material recovered is on-going at the National Museums of Scotland. Preliminary results have indicated the general age, sex and health of some of the better-preserved skeletons. The majority of the graves appear to contain young male children, although one young female (c. 9-13 years old) and 1 adult male (c.20-25 years old at death) have also so far been identified.
The geophysical and remote sensing data has been collated for publication. Both magnetic resonance and resistivity techniques were applied across the site and the results of this work has revealed the processes of site formation that have resulted in this site’s appearance.
The final site plans, section drawings, levels and other adjusted site data has been produced and an archive copy has been made and submitted to the National Monuments Record of Scotland (Edinburgh) as permanent record of the work undertaken
Continued research, analysis and report-writing is on-going and it is planned that a detailed account of the excavations will be published in 2003 in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. It is also planned to produce a booklet on the excavations for dissemination throughout the Levenmouth and wider Fife area.