Scheduled Monument

Fall Kneesend, enclosed cremation cemeterySM3947

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
23/02/1977
Last Date Amended
14/02/2002
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: enclosed cremation cemetery
Local Authority
South Lanarkshire
Parish
Crawford
NGR
NS 97751 16460
Coordinates
297751, 616460

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed cremation cemetery, a burial monument dating from the earlier Bronze Age (c.2000-1400BC). The monument was originally scheduled in 1973, but the area covered by the designation was not properly defined. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The enclosed cremation cemetery lies at around 310m OD on a SW facing hillslope overlooking the confluence of several burns to the S and W and their junction with the River Clyde approximately 1km to the W. The cemetery is circular, approximately 11m across and defined by a low unbroken stony bank which stands approximately 0.3m high and is up to 1m wide. The interior of the enclosure also appears to be stony with a possible slight mound in the centre.

Excavations in the vicinity on a group of small cairns and related features, originally believed to be a prehistoric field system, have revealed further evidence of Bronze Age ritual activity including cremation burials. Unfortunately, these remains have been extensively disturbed both by the excavation work and by development associated with forestry and road development.

The area to be scheduled is a circle, 30m in diameter, centred on the cremation cemetery, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in RCAHMS as NX 96 SW 5.

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.

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Printed: 12/08/2025 20:36