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

  SM1363_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004115)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved burnt mound, dating probably from the Bronze Age (between 2000 and 800 BC). It survives as a substantial crescent-shaped grass-covered mound, measuring approximately 15m in diameter and standing over 1m high. It is composed mainly of accumulated burnt stones and other burnt material. On the SW side of the mound is an exposed and partly excavated, stone-built structure or chamber, with burnt stone accumulated around it. The chamber is built of upright slabs and drystone walling. It is rectangular, measuring 2.6m by 3.4m transversely, and is 0.8m deep. To the SW a narrow entrance passage, approximately 3m long, leads to the edge of the mound. A stone-built trough is located outside the chamber, next to the entrance. Inside the structure, the remains of a rectangular raised hearth are visible on the NE wall, opposite the entrance. To the NW of this is a roofed alcove or cell, recessed into the wall, which measures 0.85m by 0.7m and is 0.85m high. The mound is situated on low-lying boggy ground, immediately N of an unnamed burn. It is located some 420m inland from the W coast of Rousay, at around 20m above sea level. The monument was originally scheduled in 1935, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 30m 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 contribute to our understanding of the past, in particular, the dating, form and function of burnt mounds and their placing within the landscape. This is a well-preserved example of its type, with the confirmed presence of associated structures, including a sophisticated building with a hearth and a water trough. Its proximity to several other burnt mounds in Quendal (such as those at Knowe of Dale, Tafts and Quoylonga Ness) adds to its potential to enhance our understanding of burnt mounds as components of the wider prehistoric landscape in Orkney. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the origins, functions and development of burnt mounds and the nature of prehistoric society and economy in Orkney.

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.