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

  SM5978_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011873)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a palisaded homestead and several ring ditch houses of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The site lies on level arable farmland at around 20m OD in an area rich in the remains of prehistoric domestic and economic activity. The palisaded homestead is defined by an oval palisade measuring some 35m in maximum diameter. The W part of the interior is occupied by a dense, dark circular cropmark some 15m in diameter which appears to represent the remains of a former timber roundhouse with its internal occupation deposits still surviving. Outside to the S of the enclosure is a broad annular cropmark representing the remains of a ring ditch house of similar dimensions to the structure inside the enclosure. Traces can be identified of a ring of post-holes inside this external ring ditch house.

A cluster of similar ring ditch houses around 10m to 15m in diameter lies to the S of those described above. These are associated with several linear cropmarks which may represent the remains of a contemporary field system. To the N of the enclosure are several fainter cropmarks which again appear to represent ring ditch houses.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around and between them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It has maximum dimensions of 225m NNW-SSE by 210m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of the nature and development of prehistoric settlement and economy in lowland Scotland. The monument provides an opportunity to examine the functional and chronological relationships between enclosed and unenclosed settlement at this period.

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.