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

  SM11881_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014121)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of two hut-circles, the footings of the walls of roundhouses that are likely to be Late Bronze Age or Iron Age (dating to the first or second millennium BC), together with elements of a prehistoric field system. The remains are located in W-facing improved pasture on the N flank of Deskry Hill, overlooking the River Don at a height of between 260 m and 280 m above sea level.

The hut-circles are visible as upstanding turf-covered stony, roughly circular banks. The largest and best-preserved hut-circle, depicted on Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping, measures 11 m in diameter within a bank 0.3 m and 1 m wide. The entrance is in the NW quarter and the interior has not been levelled by cultivation. The second hut-circle, located 55 m WSW of that shown on the OS map, is less well preserved. It measures approximately 8 m in diameter within a bank 0.2 m high and 2 m in breadth.

The hut-circles lie within a field system of linear stony banks, enclosing the narrowly spaced parallel ridges characteristic of prehistoric cord-rig cultivation. The field boundaries define two fields. The NE field is sub-divided by another low bank crossing it obliquely. The relationship between the hut-circles, the field banks and the cord rig is a complex one, probably representing an extended period of activity. The remains described above represent a sample of a larger field system and group of hut-circles identified and mapped by RCAHMS surveyors in 1997.

The area to be scheduled is polygonal on plan, to include the visible remains and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling excludes the above-ground portion of a telegraph pole, to allow for maintenance of the overhead line.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument consists of well-preserved examples of two later prehistoric hut-circles, together with elements of a field system, dating to the first or second millennium BC. The various elements of the monument are in a relatively good state of preservation; they are upstanding and clearly visible in the landscape. Given the excellent preservation of the rare cord-rig cultivation remains, it is likely that archaeologically significant deposits, relating to the construction, use and abandonment of the structures and the relationship of the hut-circles to the field system, survive intact. The site has considerable potential to enhance understanding of later prehistoric roundhouses and to contribute environmental information about prehistoric upland landuse.

Contextual characteristics: The monument includes two hut-circles, a common class of prehistoric monument in the locality, but also cord rig, which is rare, particularly in this part of Scotland. Archaeologists have recorded a large complex of field clearance cairns and roundhouse stances to the E of the monument and other hut-circles and roundhouses are recorded in the area. Most of these are at higher altitude in contrast to this site, which survives in improved pasture at relatively low altitude. The wider group of monuments has the potential to provide a better understanding of how later prehistoric society was structured and exploited the landscape.

The hut-circles have the potential to reveal much about house building and domestic life in the later prehistoric communities of NE Scotland. Each hut-circle can be compared and contrasted to other hut-circles in the locality and others outside the region to create an understanding of regional identity, economy and society.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular Bronze- or Iron-Age society and the nature of later prehistoric domestic and agricultural practice. Its good preservation and the survival of marked field characteristics enhance this potential. The loss of this complex archaeological site would significantly impede our ability to understand the Bronze and/or Iron Age in NE Scotland. The sample of the associated agricultural landscape, represented by the field enclosure banks and the cord rig, is important because it preserves the relationship of the houses to the immediate archaeological landscape. The possible multiple phases of use represented by the various elements of the monument further enhance its research potential and importance.

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.