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

  SM90284_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014802)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a massively-built prehistoric homestead, the focus of an early agricultural settlement. The area of Steinacleit was stripped of peat in 1920, revealing an oval enclosure some 85m E-W by 60m formed by a wall of large boulders. Within the enclosure, near to the SE side, is a small upright stone. Also within the enclosure, near to the SW side, is a large sub-circular mound which has been interpreted as a chambered cairn but is more likely to be the remains of a substantial house, measuring some 15m by 12m overall. There is a break in the enclosure wall, with a spur wall running outwards from the E end of the break, immediately to the E of the mound which represents the ruined house. This break may represent an original entrance, with the spur wall providing a funnel to assist in herding livestock into the enclosure. The area to be scheduled is approximately oval, 95m E-W by 75m N-S, to include the enclosure, house and standing stone, and coincides exactly with the area in the care of the Scottish Ministers. It is shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare example of a large prehistoric settlement mound and field system in the northern part of the Long Island. The very substantial construction is a feature more commonly encountered in mainland Scotland and in the S parts of the Outer Hebrides. Although partially excavated, the monument was quite clearly not properly understood at the time, and much remains to be discovered about the site. Excavation, together with survey and analysis, may reveal much of interest relating to prehistoric settlement, agricultural economy and society.

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.