Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM10570_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600018567)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises two groups of stone rows and a group of three kerb cairns, all of prehistoric date. The stone rows are visible as upstanding and prostrate stones; the cairns are visible as grass-covered mounds defined by kerb stones.

The monuments lie on a natural terrace about 560m WSW of Ardnacross Farm, at about 70m OD. The stone rows are about 40m apart. Both rows consist of three stones and appear to have been aligned NNE-SSW. The southernmost group comprises: one prostrate slab at least 2.3m long by 1.1m broad; a standing stone of rectangular section, now leaning slightly to the S, which stands 2.4m high and measures 1.05m by 0.5m at its base; and another prostrate slab, half covered by turf, which is at least 1.9m long by 1.25m broad.

The three stones of the northern group have all fallen and are partly obscured by turf, but the largest is at least 2.8m long, 1.4m broad and 0.35m thick. The southernmost stone of this group has three cupmarks visible on its upper surface. In 1991, excavation in its vicinty revealed a large stone-lined pit containing a bronze bracelet.

The three kerb cairns lie between the two stone rows. The largest cairn, at the southern end of the group, is reasonably well preserved and about 5.5m in diameter. It is defined by a kerb of large boulders which is almost continuous, except in the NE quadrant where the perimeter has been destroyed by ploughing. The cairn material stands about 0.4m high on the S side, but on the N it is virtually level with the surrounding ground.

The second cairn, located about 4.6m NW of the largest cairn, is some 4m in diameter and stands 0.2m high (on the S side), defined by kerb stones. The southernmost kerb stone of this cairn also depicts a cupmark.

The third cairn is located approximately 1m N of the second cairn, measures about 3m in diameter and is defined by five kerb stones.

The stone rows are thought to have had astronomical associations and generally date to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age in the second millennium BC. Kerb cairns of this type are normally funerary monuments, also dating to the Bronze Age, and may be expected to contain material relating to their mode of construction and use.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material is likely to survive. It is an irregular rounded shape, with maximum dimensions of 71m N-S by 50m E-W, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monuments are of national importance because of their potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices. Their importance is increased by their proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date and by their group value. The kerb-cairns are likely to contain important archaeological information relating to their construction and use.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.