Excavations of a Monastic Settlement and Medieval Church Site at Killevin, Crarae Gardens, Mid Argyll

Abstract

An archaeological excavation was carried out at Crarae Gardens on an area of land adjacent to the site of Killevin Church. The name Killevin indicates an early church foundation, and an early Christian cross had previously been discovered on the site. The excavation identified two large ditches, which are thought to represent two phases of a vallum surrounding an early Christian monastic settlement. Associated post-holes comprising a possible structure were also identified. Radiocarbon dates obtained from the inner ditch and associated features produced 7th- to 9th-century AD dates, providing further evidence that the documented medieval church of Killevin may have been founded on an early Christian monastic settlement.