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

  SM13618_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002606)

Summary

Description

The monument is a prehistoric settlement, comprising the remains of roundhouses, clearance cairns and burial cairns, probably dating to the Bronze Age (between 2500 BC and 800 BC). The settlement is visible as the turf-covered upstanding remains of four roundhouses, at least six burial cairns and a number of smaller clearance cairns. The monument lies at 90m above sea level, on the west bank of the Forss Water.

The roundhouses measure between 4.5m and 7.4m in diameter within turf-covered banks up to 4.5m in width and 1m in height. Entrance gaps are visible on the southeast or south-southeast. There are at least six burial cairns visible as grass-covered mounds with the remains of kerbs and / or cists. Five are on average 7m in diameter and 0.6m in height, the sixth is much larger at 16m in diameter and 2m in height. A number of smaller turf covered mounds are likely to be field clearance cairns, though it is possible that some are additional burial cairns.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area extends up to, but excludes, the post-and-wire fence to the south.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it can make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Bronze Age society and agriculture in north Scotland. It is a good example of a later prehistoric settlement, with burial and clearance cairns, that retains its field characteristics. As a well preserved example it can significantly expand our understanding of domestic buildings, agriculture and economy, burial practices and belief systems during the Bronze Age. The monument's importance is enhanced by its association with a wider cluster of later prehistoric remains. The loss or damage of the monument would diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the character of Bronze Age settlements, society and economy, as well as the meaning and importance of death and burial during the Bronze Age.

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.