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

  SM10987_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013818)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of number of outcropping masses of bedrock on which a dense cluster of cup-and-ring and cup marks and a number of cross marks have been carved. The cup-and-ring and cup marks are currently thought to date to the earlier Bronze Age, while cross marks are likely to date to the Early Christian or earlier Medieval periods.

The outcrops of bedrock occur on a steep, unnamed, NW to N facing slope on the western extremity of the ridge known as The Binn, inland from Burntisland at a height of approximately 130m OD. The cup-and-ring markings occur on a prominent angular outcrop of sandstone, facing NW, and have been carved on three rock surfaces within an area of approximately 5m diameter. The cross marking are more dispersed and occur singly on much less prominent exposures of rock. The cup-and-ring marks consist of a single finely sculptured example with three penannular rings around the cup, at least 4 cup marks encircled by single rings and approximately 22 cup marks. The three-ringed cup-and-ring mark is located on a small shelf of rock sheltered and overhung by a projecting mass of bedrock. Beside it are two cup-like marks but these may represent eroded mineral inclusions within the bedrock. The rest of the cup-marks and cup-and-ring marks lie on the upper surfaces of two adjacent blocks. The densely carved upper surface of the larger of these two blocks measures 2.6m NE-SW by 1.2m transversely.

The larger of the cross carvings lies approximately 4.5m NE of the cluster of cup-and-ring marks on an exposure of sandstone bedrock that faces NW and tilts down slope. It has been carved with a repeated linear grinding motion producing an equal-armed cross, measuring 0.3m in each direction, with slightly irregular splayed terminals. The cross is aligned NE-SW. A second cross is located at a distance of 27m NNE from the cup-and-ring marks. This second equal-armed cross is situated on the edge of a large irregular rock surface and has been more expertly carved, measuring just 0.1m along each arm. Several other cross marks and other carved marks, mostly single straight grooves or groups of converging grooves, have been noted within the vicinity of the cup-mark cluster but none show the same degree of evidence for purposeful design.

The area to be scheduled is a circle 70m in diameter centred on the three-ringed cup-and-ring mark to include the cluster of cup and cup and ring marks, the group of carved crosses, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a group of prehistoric and Christian carved symbols juxtaposed in unusual proximity and surviving to such a degree that some retain evidence for the process of manufacture.

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.