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

  SM8339_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013328)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an unenclosed settlement of prehistoric date represented by at least three stone-walled circular houses, a possible hut platform, and traces of a rectilinear enclosure. It occupies an elevated, but not markedly defensive, position on Drumcarrow Craig at around 210m OD.

The largest house (A) has an internal diameter of c.8m. Its c.2m thick wall consists of massive inner and outer facing stones with a rubble core, and had been repaired on the NW. The wall is pierced on the E by a c.2m wide entrance. House A was partially excavated in 1962. This revealed the remains of a single post-hole adjacent to the entrance, which probably supported the door frame.

A raised threshold stone lay across the entrance on the line of the outer face of the wall. A sub-rectangular hearth lay in the centre of the hut. A small area in the NE of the house has a paved floor; elsewhere the floor was of rammed earth or rock outcrop. Leading from the hearth to the entrance is a short passage defined by upright boulders.

On the NE, lying against the outer face of the house wall, are the vestiges of a rectilinear enclosure of fairly slight build. The enclosure contained fragments of native pottery, suggesting that it may have demarcated a working area. Pottery was also found inside the house; other finds included a small assemblage of flint and coarse stone implements.

A second house (B) lies some 14m E of the first and appears to have been similar in construction, but is less well-preserved. It is represented by a slightly dished circular area measuring c.7m in diameter, with several large stones from the wall-facing around the circumference.

A third house (C), lying c.7m NE of the second, and of approximately the same size, is less well-preserved.

To the N of House B, and set on a little rocky shelf somewhat above the level of the rest of the settlement, there is a sub-circular platform, c.5m across, which may mark the site of a fourth house.

The settlement is probably Iron Age in date. On the basis of the house type and excavated finds, it may date to early in the first millennium AD.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the three houses and possible hut platform, and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectangular in shape with maximum dimensions of 65m E-W by 55m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. It is also important as a rare survival of upstanding remains of prehistoric settlement in lowland Scotland.

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.