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

  SM5827_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011724)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of three palisaded enclosures and an associated pit-defined field system represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The complex occupies undulating farmland at approximately 200m OD on the N bank of the Harelaw Burn. The W enclosure is defined by a circular palisade with a concentric outer ditch some 70m in overall diameter. It is possible that the palisade in this case served to revet the face of a former rampart. The ditch appears to be approximately 4m wide with a similar distance separating it from the palisade. There is no clear indication of an entrance. Some 70m to the SE is a second enclosure formed by a single, circular palisade

some 40m in diameter.

In this case the palisade appears to have formed a free-standing enclosure unaccompanied by external defensive works. Again there is no clear indication of an entrance. To the NE of the second enclosure lies a third enclosure, formed by a single, circular palisade or narrow ditch. This appears to be approximately 30m in diameter and has no visible entrance. A field boundary, apparently pit-defined, emerges from this enclosure running N for a distance of some 60m, turning at right angles and running W for a further 40m before fading from view.

A further pit alignment runs N-S on the W side of the complex and further, less well-defined cropmarks indicate that more features survive under the ploughsoil. The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 690m NNE-SSW by 490m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. The chronological and functional inter-relationships between the various elements of the complex will provide evidence for the organisation and development of the later prehistoric economy. The complex is associated with further enclosures in adjacent fields to the E, further enhancing its importance.

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.