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

  SM4445_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010360)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a settlement and field system of the late Bronze Age, a settlement and field system of the period before the agricultural improvements, and a complex cairn of the Bronze Age, situated in rough pasture W of Alrick.

The late Bronze Age settlement is about 3000 years old and comprises the turf covered remains of at least nine circular houses. Seven are single-walled, between 9m and 11.5m across. The other two are of double walled "Dalrulzian" type. One is normal and measures 15.5m in diameter. The other is unusual, with a small central area and a large off centre outer area about 18.5m across. The well preserved field system is marked by field banks, lynchets and clearance cairns. The slight remains of further houses lie within the area to be scheduled.

The pre-improvement settlement (200 to 500 years old), comprises the remains of at least four long houses averaging 25m by 6m. The remains of a field system lie around the houses.The Bronze Age cairn is between 3000 and 4000 years old. It comprises an inner circular stone ring 6m in diameter, in which are set 5 larger stones. Around this setting is a circle, 10m in diameter, of at least 9 stones. An area measuring a maximum of 950m WNW to ESE and 480m N to S is proposed for scheduling, to include the settlements, field systems and the cairn, as delineated in red on the attached map. The NE boundary of the area, and parts of the NW and SE boundaries are defined by modern field boundaries, the above ground structures of all modern features are excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The late Bronze Age settlement is of national importance as a well preserved and complex example of its kind, which has the potential to enhance our understanding of settlement and agricultural practices in later prehistory. It is of particular interest because of the unusual 'Dalrulzian' house. The pre-improvement settlement and field system is of national importance as a well preserved example of its kind which has the potential to increase our knowledge of farming practices and the organisation of settlement before the agricultural revolution. The Bronze Age cairn is of national importance as a well preserved example of a rare type of monument which has the potential to enhance our understanding of burial and ceremonial practices in prehistory. Taken with other, broadly contemporary settlements and field systems of a variety of types in Glenisla, the late Bronze Age and pre-improvement settlements and field systems have the potential to increase our knowledge and understanding of the use and development of the landscape in their respective periods.

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.