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

  SM10352_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013630)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a deserted medieval village, located on a slight slope at c.15-18m OD, at the south-eastern edge of Eldbotle Wood on the Archerfield Estate, near Dirleton.

The medieval village of Eldbotle, the precursor to the present village at Dirleton, is traditionally thought to have been in this vicinity and finds of medieval pottery sherds have been recorded over the years. However, the physical remains of the village itself were discovered only in 1999, during an archaeological evaluation in advance of proposed development on the Archerfield Estate.

The evaluation confirmed the presence of a substantial and well-preserved medieval settlement (although relatively little of the settlement was exposed during the evaluation). The remains can be characterised as domestic structures built of coursed stone walls, with stone drains, well-stratified floor deposits and extensive middens, all overlain by windblown sand and topsoil. The excavated deposits are dated to the 12th to 15th centuries on the basis of the pottery evidence. The artefactual assemblage also included an iron buckle and the remains of three iron knives.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum measurements of 168m from SSW-NNE and 113m from E-W, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare survival of an intact medieval rural settlement. This well-preserved, well dated and substantial settlement survives because the site of the village was moved to Dirleton in late medieval times and the remains of the deserted village were preserved beneath windblown sand. It has the potential to make a major contribution to our understanding of medieval rural settlement and economy. The confirmed existence of structural remains, well-stratified floor deposits, extensive middens and a varied artefact assemblage greatly enhance the significance of the site.

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.