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

  SM90300_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014817)

Summary

Description

The monument, much of which has been excavated and reconstructed, comprises the remains of two stone circles (with timber predecessor) and later burial cairns. The earliest phase of activity is represented in the NE by a timber setting of at least 6 posts (now marked by circular concrete markers); this was later replaced (in about 3000 bc) by a setting of at least 5 stones on the same spot (rectangular markers), although this may never have been completed. This circle was dismantled in prehistory and covered by a layer of cobbles. The SW circle (actually ovoid on plan) is now the main feature of the site and originally consisted of 22 uprights up to 1.6m high. Two of the stones have carvings on them; one has double spirals (reminiscent of Irish Passage Grave Art) on two faces. Another stone was reused to fashion an incomplete millstone. Two small kerbed cairns with inhumation burials were erected outside the circle on the NE and W. Inside the circle were further burials, including two adjacent kerbed cairns with cremations. Smaller orthostats were subsequently used to fill gaps in the surrounding circle forming a revetment for a larger cairn which covered the earlier cairns. The area to be scheduled measures 130m from NE to SW by up to 40m transversely to include the stone circles and cairns and an area around in which associated remains may survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it represents the remains of important Bronze Age field monuments, albeit largely reconstructed, which retain well'defined field characteristics. The stone circles, of which these are the only two in the area, are part of a larger Neolithic and Bronze Age 'ritual landscape' in Kilmartin Valley which includes nearby stone settings, a chambered cairn and a Bronze Age linear cemetery. This monument therefore continues to have the potential to provide information about Bronze Age ritual and funerary practice and to contribute to a wider understanding of the development of Neolithic and Bronze Age 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.