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

  SM90297_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014814)

Summary

Description

The monument is a chambered cairn containing two levels of chamber, with near to it a small ancillary chamber with a stone-covered channel running between the latter and the lower of the two main chambers, on a rough platform of stones. It has been partially excavated and it is accessible to the public. The area around these features will contain evidence for activities associated with their construction and use.

Taversoe Tuick contains two chambers. The upper chamber is approached by a passage from the north. The lower, entirely subterranean chamber is approached by a passage from the south. The covered channel which connects the chambered cairn to a subterranean ancillary chamber at the south edge of the platform is on a continuation of the line of this lower passage. The rough platform consists of loose flat stones with an alley of unknown purpose leading through it to the west side of the cairn.

The area to be scheduled measures 42m N-S by 45m E-W as marked in red on the attached map. This includes both the fenced area in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and an area outside this. The above-ground parts of the fences and gate surrounding the chambered cairn and ancillary chamber are excluded from the scheduling. The concrete dome covering the upper chamber is included but the turf covering the dome and the (partly rebuilt) cairn is excluded to a depth of 0.2m.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a chambered cairn, as a rare example of a double'tiered chamber and because it includes a completely subterranean chamber. It is also of national importance for the information it contains about ritual and burial practices in the period between 4000 and 2500 BC. Its importance is recognised by its being in the care of the Scottish Ministers.

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.