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

  SM2828_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008983)

Summary

Description

The monument is an unenclosed platform settlement of the later Bronze Age, some 3000 years old, and a ring enclosure, which is probably a burial monument of the earlier Bronze Age, some 4000 years old, situated to the S of the Ratchill Burn. The settlement comprises 5 roughly circular platforms scooped out of the hillside, measuring between 12m and 21m across. What may be a sixth lies immediately to the NW of the mid platform. The excavation of similar platforms elsewhere in Tweeddale has shown that the remains of a circular timber house will survive on each platform. The remains of subsidiary structures and traces of activities associated with the occupation of the settlement will survive in the areas between the scooped platforms and are probably represented by the numerous

terraces and small platforms which are visible on the ground. The ring enclosure measures about 6m in diameter within a 2m thick bank; the enclosure may be an unenclosed cremation cemetery, in which case cremated human remains will survive buried beneath the topsoil in the interior. The area to be included in the extension of the scheduling measures a maximum of 300m N-S by 170m transversely, as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved settlement of the later Bronze Age, which has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy.

The ring enclosure has the potential to increase considerably our knowledge of prehistoric burial practices. This example is of particular importance because of its position within the settlement; it may be that, despite our current limited understanding of the nature of ring enclosures, the enclosure and settlement are related. The monument is of particular interest because of its proximity to another well preserved platform settlement, on the N bank of the Ratchill Burn; study of the relationship between the two settlements could contribute considerably to our understanding of the nature of social organisation in the later Bronze Age. Taken together with the major Iron Age complex nearby on Dreva Craig, the monument has the potential to increase significantly our understanding of the development of later prehistoric 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.