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

  SM7656_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013109)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the partially-excavated remains of a house of early Norse-Medieval date and associated structures.

The house is of typical rectangular form with slightly bowed side walls. It measures internally some 21m by between 4m and 5m, making it one of the larger examples of its class. The alignment is approximately NW-SE, and up and down the slope, although it is built on a small plateau which is almost flat. There is a second rectangular foundation, some 11m by 6m, to the NW, and there are traces of field walls which appear to be contemporary with the main house.

The site was partly excavated in 1995 by the Viking Unst project, under the direction of S Stumann-Hansen and A C Larssen.

The area to be scheduled is a square of side 50m centred on the house, to include it and the area around in which other structures and field walls survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare occurrence of a house of probable early Norse date identifiable on field characteristics, and one which has been partially excavated to demonstrate its date. It gains additional importance as a member of a group of several such sites on the island of Unst.

The important evidence regarding Norse settlement and agricultural economy which this monument can provide could be further expanded by comparative study of the related monuments in the island, several of which are being scheduled at this time. Although partially excavated, important deposits survive which would repay further investigation.

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.