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

  SM90035_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014574)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a Neolithic chambered burial cairn which is situated on a S-facing hillside.

Blackhammer has been excavated and provided with a concrete roof to make it accessible to visitors. It is in the care of the Secretary of State.

The cairn measures 22.5m by 8.9m externally and is elongated WNW-ESE. It contains a long chamber 13.5m by 2.0m which survives to approximately 2m above floor level. The chamber was originally divided into seven compartments by pairs of upright slabs set into the ground and inner wall-face, and projecting into the chamber. The entrance was by a passage in the centre of the S, long, side, and was blocked in antiquity.

The entrance passage is not at right angles to the cairn wall. Both it, and its blocking, have been preserved, and visitor access is through the modern roof. Where the entrance passage enters the chamber a secondary masonry construction of obscure purpose was located. The building of this had necessitated the removal of the slabs dividing the central compartments, although their slots still survive in the inner wall-face. Excavation produced only two burials, one of these in the entrance passage and the other in the W end compartment. Stone and flint tools and a pottery bowl were recovered in the excavations.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular and is contained within the fence surrounding the monument. It measures 30m E-W by 14m N-S and is shown in red on the accompanying map. The boundary fence and concrete roof are included.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine field example of a Neolithic chambered tomb of the Orkney stalled cairn type, and as one of a remarkable group of such monuments on the island of Rousay. It has the potential to provide information about the evolution and construction of such burial places and their role in Neolithic society.

Although the chamber has been emptied, the old ground surface sealed below the cairn retains the potential to yield information relating to contemporary land-use, and the body of the cairn itself, and the entrance blocking, may contain important information about the construction and modification of cairns.

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.