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Nether Kinneil shell middens are a Mesolithic or early postglacial refuse deposit located 400 metres east-north-east of Inveravon in Linlithgowshire, Scotland. Shell middens of this period represent the accumulated food waste from human settlement, principally the discarded shells of shellfish gathered from nearby coastal or estuarine sources. The site lies on bedrock of the Clackmannan Group, sedimentary rocks formed during the Westphalian period of the Carboniferous era. This solid geological foundation would have provided stable ground for human activity throughout the postglacial period.
The midden's position within the Firth of Forth estuary landscape reflects the exploitation of local marine resources. The proximity to Inveravon suggests access to productive tidal flats and foreshore environments rich in shellfish beds. Such sites are valuable archaeological records of early subsistence practices and seasonal settlement patterns in Scotland.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under designation SM6917, recognising its significance as evidence of early human occupation and resource use in Linlithgowshire.
Nether Kinneil, shell middens 400m ENE of Inveravon is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6917. View the official record →
Nether Kinneil shell middens are a Mesolithic or early postglacial refuse deposit located 400 metres east-north-east of Inveravon in Linlithgowshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6917.
Nether Kinneil, shell middens 400m ENE of Inveravon is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6917.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Torphichen Preceptory (7.6 km), Torphichen Preceptory, refuge stone at Torphichen Kirk (7.6 km), Castlethorn, fort and standing stones 500m ESE of Torphichen Mains (7.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Nether Kinneil, shell middens 400m ENE of Inveravon's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Nether Kinneil, shell middens 400m ENE of Inveravon stands on Clackmannan Group, bedrock that formed in the Westphalian. The rock here is sedimentary rock cycles, clackmannan group type.