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

  SM5960_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011856)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a promontory of land immediately south of the headland occupied by Dunbar Castle which contains remains of domestic and military occupation from the pre-Roman Iron Age to the 16th century AD. Almost all traces of post 16th-century constructions which formerly stood on this site have recently been removed.

In the 1980's limited excavations were undertaken in advance of development. These demonstrated that the area is rich in the remains of several periods. The earliest evidence is from a pre-Roman Iron Age promontory fort: traces of three defensive ditches were detected. These ditches were overlain by the remains of a settlement dating to between AD 120 and AD 500. The excavations provided evidence of occupation, industrial processes, (possibly tanning), and a defensive palisade. The third period of occupation displayed Northumbrian influence and include a large rectangular grubenhaus (house with a sunken floor) and a defensive ditch and palisade. The finds associated with the third period deposits included a seventh-century buckle, eighth and ninth century coins and a fragment of a pectoral cross of seventh century date.

The Medieval Castle of Dunbar was concentrated on the headland, however in 1550 a new fort was built by the French across the promontory to protect the 1514 blockhouse and the earlier castle. A massive ditch and several internal buildings were identified during excavations. The fort was demolished in 1560.

The excavations took place in two trenches, in advance of the building of a swiming pool, neither was completely excavated, so will be included within the scheduled area. In addition work was carried out to landscape the area and to build a car park to the south of the swimming pool, during excavation to lay drains in this area cist burials were discovered. These are probably associated with a chapel which once stood in the position of Lauderdale house.

The area to be scheduled is marked in red on the accompanying map and measures 180m E-W and 170 N-S. Specifically excluded are the swimming pool building, all modern fences and walls, the old barrack guardhouse, and the electricity substation.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has the potential, through excavation, to provide information about the settlement, defence and material culture of Dunbar and its hinterland during the pre-Roman Iron Age, Early Christian, Northumbrian and late Medieval 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.