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

  Legal Documents for Oxton,Roman fort 130m SW of Annfield (SM2837)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600001723)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a Roman fortlet and associated annexes, dating to the late first or second century AD. The archaeological remains survive as buried features visible on oblique aerial photographs. The monument is located on a low ridge in the Lammermuir Hills. The monument was first scheduled in 1969, but the documents did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The visible cropmarks identify the whole fortlet and a series of four annexes. The fortlet itself is approximately square and comprises a substantial rampart and two ditches. There is a single entrance facing the SW. Two annexes on the NE side indicate a development sequence; both are demarcated by single ditches, one broad and one narrow. A smaller ditched annex is visible on the NW side within a narrow ditch. The fourth and by far the largest annex is attached to the SE side and encloses an area of approximately 2ha. This unusual annex is an irregular elongated shape, aligned NW-SE and around 225m in length. It is delineated by a 3m wide ditch, pierced by several entrances to the SE and NW. It is aligned with Dere Street, a major Roman supply route that runs alongside the SE side of this annex and the fortlet.

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 above-ground elements of the post-and-wire boundary fences enclosing the monument and the above-ground elements of all telegraph poles to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its significant potential to contribute to our understanding of Roman fortlets, camps and annexes, as well as Roman military logistics and supply networks. Spatial analysis of Roman forts and camps can inform our understanding of Roman military strategy, the impact of the Romans on the local Iron Age landscape and peoples, the methods of construction of Roman forts, and the daily lives of those who served in or served the Roman army. If this monument was to be lost or damaged, our understanding of the Roman occupation of southern Scotland and of Roman military structure and logistics would be greatly diminished.

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.