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

  SM11734_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014078)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a cairn situated on the summit of a small hill in a field of rough grazing 415m NNW of the buildings at Edinchat.

The circular cairn measures approximately 9m in diameter and, in its denuded condition, it stands about 0.4m high. The centre of the cairn appears to be undisturbed. A modern marker cairn has been built on top of the monument.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, centred on the middle of the cairn at NH 81664 31177, to include the visible remains of the cairn and an area around it within which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling excludes the modern marker cairn situated on top of the monument.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: Although the cairn is denuded and does not retain distinct field characteristics, it appears undisturbed. It therefore retains high potential for the preservation of archaeological evidence to enhance our understanding of Bronze Age funerary practices. Capacity exists for deposits relating to the prehistoric environment to be present; a buried soil would reveal important details about the environment during which the cairn was constructed. A lack of intensive landuse combined with an awareness of the monument appears to have benefited the cairn's survival.

Contextual characteristics: Given the undisturbed nature of this cairn, the potential exists for the site to add value to the knowledge of the monument class as a whole. Comparing and contrasting the cairn to nearby Bronze Age funerary monuments can enable an understanding of how prehistoric people positioned such sites within the landscape, as well as provide contexts for identity and society.

Associative characteristics: The deliberate positioning of the monument, on a small hill with good views over the valley below, adds an aesthetic attribute to its overall significance.

National Importance: The monument is of national importance because it is a valuable example of a relatively undisturbed, although denuded, Bronze Age cairn. It has the potential to add to our understanding of the monument site type as a whole, as well as the relationship of this site to its class. Its loss would impede our ability to understand the placing of such monuments within the landscape, as well as our knowledge of Bronze Age funerary rites.

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.