Recessed platforms are a fairly common type of site on the West Coast of Scotland, typically a group of circular platforms (some 7-10m diameter) recessed into the hillside with the earth at the front forming a platform. Their location with regards to slope, altitude and type of land-use is very variable.

Until 'Betty's' work, the received opinion was that these groups of platforms were charcoal burners' sites. However as a result of the dedicated work of a small band of 'amateurs', working to a very professional standard, many more sites were discovered, and new evidence as to their real purpose elucidated.

The first part of the report (some 117 pages) gives a description of most of the Groups of sites discovered during the twenty or so years of survey. Although brief most of the site descriptions are perfectly adequate. This forms, as it were, the database for the subsequent discussion about the functions of the platforms.

In the second part of the report the details of the excavations of ten of the sites, are outlined. This work was crucial to the understanding of the real functioning of these platforms.

Finally there is the detailed discussion of what might be the true nature of these recessed platforms. Betty first of all considers the evidence for how charcoal burners actually worked and the archaeological evidence which would be left behind. From this she convincingly argues that although some sites were undoubtedly reused by colliers, the sites predate the 18th century charcoal industry by several centuries at least. The C14 dates obtained from the excavations give an intriguing scatter of two site giving Neolithic dates and the others giving dates around Medieval times.

In addition to dating evidence there is a detailed argument that in the West of Scotland charcoal was made in pits and not in pyres on platforms.

The alternative explanation is that the platforms appear to be foundations for round timber structures. These structures are clustered into groups with different sized platforms (with a constant size ratio) which seems to indicate that each cluster represents a settlement consisting of dwellings, sheds for stock and workshops. Such settlements it is postulated were not dissimilar to the 17th and 18th century Highland townships.

There is some interesting speculation as to whether some of the groups of platforms found at high altitude might not be shieling sites.

Also the marked differences between the open position of sites in Kintyre and Knapdale, and the secluded position of the Northern Groups of platforms is commented upon. An association of some of the sites with Early Christian sites e.g. Lephinchapel is also discussed.

All in all this publication represents a great deal of dedicated work, carried to a successful conclusion in the face of scepticism from the archaeological establishment. As a result of the substantial amount of field survey, a new type of monument has been 'discovered', and our understanding of how people lived in the West of Scotland during the first millennium AD advanced.

Bob Diamond