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

  SM10342_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013626)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a Neolithic chambered cairn of the Clyde type, sited immediately to the south of a forestry track at Gartnagreanoch, Knapdale.

The cairn consists of an oval mound, measuring 14m by 8m and standing about 1m high, with a concave forecourt at its NE end. The forecourt has been infilled by material extending 3.5m in front of the facade, and lying about 0.4m deep. The facade survives as four upright stones, with the two central stones (1.7m and 0.8m in height) forming an entrance portal into the original burial chamber of the cairn. Two additional stones are set immediately behind these portal stones, forming a double portal.

The main burial chamber of the cairn, accessed from the portal, measures 1.05m by 0.45m internally, with a capstone. The cairn was subject to limited excavation (confined to examination of the main chamber and the facade area) in 1929, when the main chamber was found to contain no remains, but a second cist was found within the blocking material in the forecourt. This also produced no remains.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, measuring a maximum of 34m along its long axis (ENE by WSW) and 20m transversely, to include the cairn and an area around it in which remains relating to its construction and use may be found, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The modern fence line along its southern side is not included in the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a chambered cairn of the Neolithic period, which are not common in the Knapdale area. Despite some limited excavation in 1929, it retains the potential to provide information about ritual and funerary practices of the early prehistoric period, and environmental data from soils which may be buried below the structure of the cairn.

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.