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

  SM90198_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014726)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a Neolithic chambered burial cairn which is known to have been in use around 2900 BC. It is situated at 105m above sea-level on a hillside ledge.

Knowe of Yarso 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 15m by 8m externally and is elongated NW-SE. It contains a long chamber 8m by 2m which survives to approximately 2m above floor level. The chamber is divided into four compartments by pairs of upright slabs set into the ground and inner wall-face, and projecting into the chamber. Entrance is by a passage on the SE. In walls of the entrance passage a vertical break in the masonry demonstrates the internal revetment characteristic of many cairns.

The outer wall-face of the cairn has been carefully laid in slanting courses, and this is visible near to the entrance. Excavation revealed evidence for the burial of the remains of at least 29 individuals. Animal bones were also found.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular and is contained within the fence surrounding the monument. It measures 27m NW-SE by 19m 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 may contain important information about methods of construction.

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.