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

  SM13473_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014514)

Summary

Description

The monument is a circular ditched enclosure, dating probably to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age (between about 2500 and 800 BC). It is clearly visible from the air on oblique aerial photographs and, on the ground, as a prominent rise in a cultivated grass field. The Ordnance Survey Name Book reports that a short cist containing 'a light substance' or ashes was found here in 1871. The results of aerial survey in 2009, followed by geophysical survey in 2010, strongly suggest the presence of a substantial ditch, about 10m in width, enclosing an area about 50m in diameter. Strong magnetic anomalies recorded in the interior of the enclosure probably indicate the remains of stone-built structures. The SW arc of the monument has been damaged by later ploughing, although an apparent break recorded here by resistance survey may suggest this was the site of an entrance. The enclosure is located on the summit of a ridge at about 32m above sea level, from where there are very good views over the Loch of Stenness and the Loch of Harray, as well as towards the Ring of Brodgar 1700m to the SE.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, 70m in diameter, 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.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, particularly of prehistoric ritual and ceremonial sites in Orkney. Aerial photographic evidence suggests that the monument retains most of its original form, including a well-defined enclosing ditch which is likely to preserve deep archaeological deposits. Geophysical survey results strongly indicate the presence of substantial remains beneath the surface including, probably, stone-built structures. There is very high potential for the presence of well-preserved archaeological deposits, particularly in the ditches where a wealth of artefacts and environmental evidence may be expected to survive. Such deposits can inform us about the function, dating, period of use, construction methods and development sequence of the monument, which is likely to be complex and potentially of long duration. The monument's importance is enhanced because it forms an integral part of a wider ritual landscape which is exceptionally rich in late Neolithic and early Bronze Age monuments - the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Area. The loss of this monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the meaning and importance of ritual and ceremonial enclosures in Orkney and the placing of ritual monuments within the landscape.

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.