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

  SM2303_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008543)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a large Roman camp with an attached annex. The camp is visible as cropmarks captured on aerial photographs and survives as features and deposits buried beneath the ploughsoil. The camp is rectangular in plan and measures 640m from NE to SW by 410m transversely, enclosing an area of about 26ha (64 acres). Originally the camp had six entrances, each with a titulus (external protection for the gateway) of which four are visible as cropmarks: two on the NE and one on the SW and SE sides of the camp. The annex is on the NW side of the camp and measures 117m by 109m, enclosing an area of 1.27ha (3 acres). The camp is located immediately S of Cruick Water on a gradual rise at about 60 to 70m above sea level; most of the fields which it occupies are currently in cultivation. The monument was first scheduled in 1972, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area specifically excludes the above-ground elements of all post-and-wire fences, hedges and drystane dykes.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the past, in particular Roman camps: their dating, design, methods of construction, use and role. There is good potential for the survival of important buried remains in the fills of the ditch and from features within the interior. Such deposits could include dateable organic remains and artefactual evidence relating to the occupation of the camp, and could provide evidence about the landscape and environment at the time of the camp's construction. Within the camp, there is high potential for the survival of occupation evidence in the form of rubbish pits, bread ovens and latrine pits, which can inform our understanding of the lives of Roman soldiers while in the field. This camp is located only about 1.5km SSW from the Roman fort and camp at Stracathro, and is the northernmost member of a discrete group of 25ha camps that line Strathmore. Spatial analysis of camps and Roman roads can inform our understanding of Roman military strategy and offer insights into the effects of the Roman presence on local Iron-Age communities and the landscape. The loss of the monument would affect our understanding of the construction and use of temporary camps by the Roman army and our knowledge of Roman military structure, economy and social practice.

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.