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

  SM11553_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014026)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a group of four large burnt mounds, likely to be be prehistoric in date. The heather-covered mounds lie at approximately 220m above sea level, rising from boggy ground either side of a small burn running into Loch Ashie.

The most clearly defined mound is U-shaped in plan, measures 10m long by 9.5m wide and rises up to 1.5m high. The second mound is kidney-shaped in plan, measuring 13.5m long, by 10m wide, and up to 1.2m high. The third mound is also kidney-shaped and measures 10m long by 5m wide. The final mound is C-shaped and measures 12.5m long, by 7m wide, and up to 1.3m in height. All the mounds have grassy hollows. A post-and-wire fence runs N to S along the W edge of the group and a large natural knoll forms the S boundary of the complex. Erosion by the burn, which runs through the centre of the site, has exposed burnt stones.

On excavation, burnt mound sites typically reveal heaps of burnt and fire-cracked stones mixed with charcoal bearing soil. Investigation by RCAHMS in 1992 of these particular mounds confirmed that they are composed of reddened, cracked stone and charcoal in a matrix of black soil. The stones were heated on adjacent hearths and dropped into a water-filled pit or trough to boil water. Such sites are invariably sited close to a source of water. Interpretations vary, but they are generally thought to be cooking places and the great majority of dated, excavated examples in the north of Scotland have proved themselves to be of Bronze Age date, although any date from the later Neolithic to the early medieval period is possible.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, to include the visible remains and an area around in which evidence relating to the construction and use of the site may be expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the modern fence.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is in a good state of preservation. It is upstanding and clearly visible in the landscape and its various elements preserve of all the field characteristics of this class of site. The continued landuse as pasture and absence of any sign of disturbance, apart from some erosion by the burn, will have probably resulted in the preservation of high quality archaeological deposits within and adjacent to the burnt mounds. It therefore has the potential to reveal further information about the local economy, diet and food preparation in the later prehistoric period. The close grouping of these burnt mounds, with the possibility that this represents episodes of activity spanning a long period of time, adds considerably to the value and the research potential of this site.

Contextual characteristics: As a well-preserved complex of burnt mounds, probably Bronze Age in date, the monument is an intrinsic part of the pattern of later prehistoric rural settlement and landuse. It has the potential to reveal much about the economy, diet and food preparation practices in the later prehistoric communities of NE Scotland. Comparing and contrasting it to other burnt mounds in the locality, and outside the region, can aid an understanding of regional economy and society.

National importance: This monument is of national importance because it is rare and appears to be particularly well preserved. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of upland landuse and society in this locality and, by association, the rest of Scotland in the later prehistoric period. The loss of this impressive, well-preserved example would affect our future ability to understand these issues.

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.