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

  SM11633_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014055)

Summary

Description

This monument comprises two hut circles and a burial cairn of probable Bronze Age or later prehistoric date, situated close together. The monument is located within a conifer plantation clearing at 325m OD (Ordance Datum) and around 310m NNW of Knocksoul farmstead. It commands a wide view to the S and SW from its position on the gently sloping SW side of Knocksoul Wood.

The NW hut circle measures 12.5m in diameter and has a circular wall surviving as a grass-grown, stony bank up to 2.8m in thickness and 0.3m in height. There is a possible entrance on the E side. Situated approximately 33m to the SE, the second hut circle measures around 7m in diameter and has a grass-grown bank up to 3m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The S edge of this hut circle is overlain by the bank of a ha-ha (a landscaped boundary designed to be invisible from certain views) or field boundary. Situated around 7.7 m ESE of the NW hut circle is a cairn measuring 12.5 m in diameter and 0.7 m in height.

The area to be scheduled comprises two discrete areas, circular and rectangular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area in which evidence relating to the construction and use of the monument may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The southernmost scheduled area excludes the forest track and the above-ground elements of existing modern fencelines, to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The characteristic features that define the hut circles and the cairn are well preserved, and it is likely that the associated archaeological deposits also survive in a good condition. The NW hut circle has a well-defined perimeter wall, including a possible entrance. The cairn is large, and there is a possibility of its later use as the site of another hut circle. These structures have the potential to significantly enhance understanding of hut circles and cairns, and of their inter-relationships.

Contextual characteristics: The two hut circles belong to a widespread class of prehistoric settlement type seen throughout Strathdon and wider parts of upland Scotland. It is not only their preservation, but their proximity and relationship to the burial cairn that marks them as significant. The monument occupies what would have been a prominent position in the landscape, with wide views to the S. It is possible that these structures formed part of a larger group that extended into the improved fields to the S.

National Importance: The monument is of national significance because the characteristic features that define the hut circles and the cairn appear to remain well preserved, so there is good potential for the survival of archaeological evidence relating to their construction and use. The monument occupies a prominent position in the landscape where prehistoric people could see it over a wide area of the landscape in which they conducted their day-to-day activities. Its loss would affect our ability to understand this landscape.

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.