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

  SM11574_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014034)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the upper fragment of a block of grey granite bearing prehistoric cupmarks and an early medieval incised wheel cross. Discovered in 1879 in the foundation of the barn at Tofthills during rebuilding works, it was incorporated into the dyke for preservation. Subsequently removed from there, it now stands on a grass verge immediately S of the farmhouse at Tofthills farmsteading. A 19th-century report suggests the stone came from a circle of stones to the N of the farm buildings.

The stone measures 0.55m in breadth by 0.45m in thickness at ground level and stands to a height of 0.75m. It has numerous cupmarks on its top and sides and, on its top face, an incised wheel cross with shaft enclosed within a circle.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, to include the stone, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The stone is well preserved with its carvings in a fresh condition. It has the potential to enhance the study of the 'Christianisation' of prehistoric stones.

Contextual characteristics: In Aberdeenshire the cupmarking of stones within stone circles dating to the Bronze Age is often noted, and there is a suggestion that this stone came from a stone circle. Although not in its original setting the stone has particular interest because of the multiple cupmarks on a fragment of a larger stone and the incised cross which overlays these cupmarks.

Carved stones, such as Tofthills, are one of the principal strands of evidence for the process of the introduction of Christianity to NE Scotland in the first millennium AD. There is an indication that some early medieval carved stones and prominent prehistoric monuments coincide with medieval parish boundaries, so they may be providing important evidence for early land organisation. Tofthills appears to be an example of this.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular of the Christianisation of prehistoric monuments and early land organisation. The good preservation of the carving enhances this potential.

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.