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Cannon Hill Rockshelter (Ardrossan)

Ardrosson, SW of Cannon Hill, Ayrshire.

Rock Shelter.

There are also vaults (Wallace's Larder) below the castle and stairs down to a well. The castle and vaults are deemed unsafe.

Alternate Names: Ardrossan Castle Cave

Notes: Shell-mound, 102ft by 16ft, on SW of Cannon Hill, close to Ardrossan railway station, excavated by Smith. Length mostly overhung a few feet, by the rock face, which formed rock-shelter, occupied at intervals over considerable period of time. Prior to Smith's excavation, railway workings cut longitudinal section in mound, which overlay 1ft layer of raised beach sand. Mound composed of shells, mainly periwinkle and limpet, and animal bones. Relics found included stone 'anchor' with groove cut round it for rope, possible stone sinker, fragments of very coarse, hand-made pottery, also pieces of wheel-turned, glazed pottery, bone chisel, 2 bone needles, etc. Human bones, some of which were exhibited in Glasgow in 1911, on loan from Smith, were also found. J Smith 1894; 1895; Palace of History 1911. Bone implements and a hammerstone from this site were donated to the NMAS from the collection of the late J Smith in 1931 (Acc. nos. HR 840-6). Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1931; NMAS Card Index. No trace of any remains of this shell mound was seen when vVisited by OS (JLD) 7 September 1956.

Hydrographic Feeds: None (previously Irish Sea)

Hydrographic Resurgences: None (previously Irish Sea)