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

  SM3278_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009372)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a henge, situated below the SSE end of a low, but prominent, natural mound on the left bank of the Ealaiche Burn. Such ceremonial earthworks date to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (the later third or early second millennium BC). The monument was first scheduled in 1973 and is being rescheduled to more accurately define the scheduled area to modern mapping standards.

The henge has a small central area measuring 6.2m by 5.4m in diameter, surrounded by a ditch up to 4.3m wide, and a bank 4-5m wide. An entrance passes through the bank on the SE. The earthworks are covered in grass and heather.

The area to be scheduled is circular in plan, centred on the henge, to include the henge and an area around it within which evidence for its construction and use can be expected to be preserved, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's historical significance can be expressed under two headings:

Intrinsic characteristics: The henge appears to be intact and does not appear to have been disturbed. It is likely, therefore, that it preserves information relating both to the construction of the henge and to the activities which took place there. Where henges have been excavated, pottery, stone artifacts and animal bones possibly relating to feasting and ceremonial activities are often found within their ditches. Material such as this has the potential to provide dating evidence, and it is also possible that environmental material relating to the conditions of the surrounding area will be preserved in the ditch. In addition, the banks of the henge may preserve the remains of the old land surface.

Contextual characteristics: Wormy Hillock is one of a small group of henges found in the NE of Scotland. One of the characteristics of this group is their small size. While henges are found in many parts of Britain, there is much regional diversity in terms of construction and use.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular of the ceremonial gatherings of Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age communities in the NE of Scotland, and of the cultural links between Aberdeenshire and other areas of Britain in this period of prehistory.

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.