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

  SM3150_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009260)

Summary

Description

There are two monuments within this scheduling. The first is a barrow of the earlier Bronze Age, measuring 8m in diameter and 0.7m in height, which is in a very good state of preservation. The second is a ring enclosure, an enclosed cremation cemetery of Bronze Age date. It measures 11m in diameter with a bank 1.5m across and 0.3m high. The barrow was scheduled in 1972, the enclosure in 1977, when it was realised that it had been omitted from the scheduling of all the other Stirkfield Hope monuments.

The scheduled area around the barrow is 20m in diameter, and that around the enclosure was originally 15m in diameter. Recent archaeological excavation has shown that an area around the obvious remains of ceremonial or funerary sites can contain important remains of activity. While the scheduled area around the barrow may be adequate, the area around the enclosure was not, therefore an area measuring 50m N-S transversely was proposed for rescheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monuments are individually of national importance as well preserved, apparently undisturbed examples of their type. Barrows in particular are rarely preserved in this area. However, their greatest significance lies in their juxtaposition; archaeological excavation would reveal very important information on the relationship between the two burial traditions represented. The monuments are of national importance to the theme of prehistoric burial and ceremonial practices. The importance of the enclosure is enhanced by the survival of at least three other examples within 1km. Study of all four enclosures together would provide information on the importance of the relationship between different enclosed cremation cemeteries in use contemporarily and sequentially.

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.