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

  SM2470_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008687)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a later prehistoric fort, visible as a series of turf- covered walls around the contours of a rocky outcrop. The monument was first scheduled in 1964 and is being rescheduled in order to clarify the extent of the scheduling.

The monument measures around 245 m from NE to SW by 45 m transversely, within two ruinous turf-covered walls. The inner wall conforms to the lip of the summit of the hill and is spread to about 4 m. The outer wall, visible as a stony scarp averaging some 3.5 m wide, is separated from the inner by a terrace which varies in width from 1.5 to 3 m. Given the close proximity of each, it is likely that these walls form the remains of a single timber-laced rampart. In 1963 the archaeologist Feachem recorded signs of vitrification on the SE sector of the 'inner' wall. Although vegetation obscures this area today, any vitrification is likely to have been the result of intense fire.

A gap in the NE may mark an entrance to the fort, however it is likely that the main entrance was located to the S, where the approach is easier. A gap in the walls at the head of a rough track which leads up the slope from the SW may represent the original approach. However, it is likely also to have been utilised in recent history, during cultivation of the interior of the fort, which took place until 1906. As a result of cultivation, the centre of the fort is now featureless. Downslope to the S of the entrance, there is evidence of scarping in two places. On the W slopes, traces of terracing can be seen. These may represent the remnants of outworks defending more vulnerable slopes.

The area to be scheduled is an irregular polygon on plan, to include the fort and an area around in which evidence for its construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument has considerable potential to enhance understanding of Iron Age domestic and defensive activity. The external features of the monument are reasonably well preserved and it is likely that archaeologically significant deposits relating to the construction, use and abandonment of the fort remain in place. The significance is increased by documentary accounts of evidence of vitrification within the ramparts, suggesting an episode of intense fire at the outer defences of the monument. This was undoubtedly an important event in the history of the monument, and the vitrified stone has the potential to provide dating material which would further clarify the chronology of the site. In addition, it is likely that deposits survive that could provide data relating to the later prehistoric environment. Although the inner area of the hillfort has been levelled by ploughing, it is likely that buried archaeological deposits survive that could provide further information on the nature of settlement, occupation and abandonment of the site.

Contextual characteristics: The prominence of this crag within the Findhorn Valley means that this monument would have formed a significant and imposing part of the landscape in later prehistory, and would have attracted settlement through the need for defence and/or display. The monument is the only known fort in the parish of Ardclach, and lies on the E extent of the distribution of hillforts in the N of Scotland. Around 180 hillforts are known of in the Highland region. Of these, around 30 are confirmed to have evidence for vitrification. Dunearn therefore forms part of an important subset of highland forts, and has parallels in construction and size with a number of hillforts in the Inverness-shire area.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of a poorly understood monument type. It could have formed a significant part of the landscape of later prehistoric times and been a central place for local communities and emerging chiefdoms in the need for defence, communal events and the demonstration and display of status. The loss of this monument would detract from a future ability to interpret the surrounding landscape and the nature of the societies that occupied it in later prehistory. It loss would also impact on our ability to understand the date and nature of occupation of forts throughout Scotland.

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.