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

  SM13327_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014484)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a Roman fort, visible as cropmarks captured on oblique aerial photographs. The fort dates probably to the late first or mid second century AD. The archaeological remains survive beneath the ploughsoil as buried features and deposits. The cropmarks identify the SE side of the fort and most of its interior, but fluvial erosion has destroyed part of the northern and western sectors. The fort measures approximately 180m on the NE side by at least 110m on the SW side, enclosing about 5 acres. A system of five ditches defines its perimeter, possibly suggesting two periods of use, and a series of buildings and thoroughfares are clearly visible in the interior. The camp is strategically located on the left bank of the Dryfe Water, approximately 300m above its confluence with the Annan.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area specifically excludes the wooded area mapped as 'Fox Covert' and the post-and-wire fence on the western edge of the monument.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of Roman forts in Scotland, including their dating, design, methods of construction, uses and wider role. Although no longer surviving as an upstanding earthwork, there is high potential for buried remains to survive in the fills of the ditches, including dateable organic remains and artefactual evidence relating to the occupation of fort. Within the fort, there is high potential for the survival of occupation evidence in the form of rubbish pits. bread ovens and latrine pits, which can inform our understanding of the lives of Roman soldiers while in the field. Organic evidence from the fills of the ditches around the camp could provide information about the landscape and environment at the time of the camp's construction. Spatial analysis of forts and the Roman road networks they protected can inform our understanding of Roman military strategy and offer insights into the impact of the Roman occupation on local Iron Age communities and the landscape. The loss of the monument would affect our understanding of the construction and use of forts by the Roman army and our knowledge of Roman military structure, economy and social practices.

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.