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

  SM11512_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014003)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a souterrain and ring-ditch house of prehistoric date, visible as a cropmark on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies in arable farmland, 152m above sea level, on a slight plateau with a stream to the S and SW. It comprises a souterrain that is crescentic on plan (measuring about 9m in diameter) and, on its western side, a ring ditch (about 3.5m in diameter). Souterrains are semi-subterranean structures generally regarded as having been used for storage in later prehistory. Where excavated they have been shown to have been associated with larger, above-ground settlements of buildings that are largely made from timber. The ring-ditch cropmark is evidence of one of these buildings. These buildings can vary in size and construction techniques throughout Scotland. Although it could be a small roundhouse, it is also possible that the cropmark is evidence of internal wear patterns within the house itself and that the structure is considerably larger. The souterrain and ring ditch are, on the basis of present evidence, the most obvious elements of a more extensive unenclosed settlement.

The area proposed for scheduling is circular on plan and comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument has potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and its economy. The condition of the archaeological evidence is likely to be high as the monument probably filled in quickly after it became redundant, preserving any archaeology.

Contextual characteristics: The monument is representative of a type associated with late prehistoric, unenclosed settlements seen throughout Scotland. Although these type of monuments are well documented in the local area in the late 19th century, very few are known to survive. The site itself is probably part of a wider, more extensive settlement as there is evidence of further archaeological features surrounding this site.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of later prehistoric settlement and economy. Many of the souterrains scheduled in the area are standing structures that would have been exposed and cleared in recent history. Since this site was sealed in prehistory, it is likely the archaeological evidence surviving will be undisturbed and in a good state of preservation. The rarity of this type of monument in the local landscape also adds to its importance and is increased by its potential proximity to other contemporaneous archaeological features.

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.