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

  SM12348_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014216)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises an enclosed settlement of later prehistoric or early-historic date (late 1st millennium BC/early 1st millennium AD). It is visible as earthworks enclosing the S approaches of an unnamed rocky, steep-sided crag that overlooks the North Sea at a height of approximately 160m above sea level.

The earthworks comprise a pair of ramparts with a medial ditch, approximately 20m in length, that fortify the easier landward approach to the summit of the crag, while sheer cliffs provide excellent natural defences on the north and west. The interior of the settlement is roughly oval and measures approximately 30m by 62m. The area is largely overgrown by whin bushes with patches of grass and exposed rock visible and no surface traces of internal features are visible within the settlement. Of the two ramparts, the innermost is the better preserved and is composed of earth and stones. The inner rampart is heavily spread and, in places, erosion as a result of burrowing and sheep scrapes has exposed the stony core. The inner rampart stands up to 0.5m high and is around 4m broad. The medial ditch is up to 5m wide, around 1m-1.5m deep and has a broad U-shaped profile. The outer rampart stands on the E lip of the ditch and appears to be composed of earth and stone. It stands up to 0.2m in height and is around 3m broad. An entrance is visible on the NE, appearing as a 3m break in the ramparts and ditch and the defences continue up to the cliff edge, although the ditch appears shallower and narrower at this point.

The area to be scheduled is sub-oval on plan, to include the visible remains described above and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics

The monument is visible as upstanding earthworks and represents a good example of an enclosed settlement of late-prehistoric or early-historic date. The settlement occupies a commanding position with extensive views across the surrounding area, particularly the coastline to the north. Although the ramparts have suffered erosion, what survives is sufficient to trace the course of the settlement's defences. The ramparts are likely to seal an ancient ground surface that could provide evidence of the environment when the settlement was built and occupied, while the fills of the ditch have potential to preserve archaeological deposits relating to the site's occupation. Although no surface remains are visible within the settlement, the lack of cultivation or quarrying at the site indicates excellent potential for the preservation of archaeological remains. Buried deposits from within the fort may preserve evidence relating to potential domestic structures and the economy of its inhabitants. This evidence may enhance our understanding of the social structures and domestic architecture of the people who built and used this monument.

Contextual characteristics

The site has potential to offer an insight into the vernacular architecture and everyday lives of people living in enclosed settlements in the later prehistoric/early historic period in SE Scotland. The site also provides an example of the types of defences used in such settlements and the ways in which these may have evolved over time. Comparison to other enclosed settlements in the area around St Abbs and to the many others surviving as cropmarks across the SE Borders may help create a broader appreciation of regional identity and society and the degree of local variation within the region.

Associative characteristics

The name Haly Jo is not used locally and the rocky crag is usually referred to as Jock's Neb.

National Importance.

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular late-prehistoric or early-historic settlement in the SE Scottish Borders. The archaeological potential of the interior of the settlement is particularly good as the site appears to have been undisturbed by cultivation or quarrying. Domestic remains and artefacts from this site have the potential to enhance our understanding of wider prehistoric society, its architecture, how people lived, the nature of the settlement's economy, where its builders and inhabitants came from and who they had contacts with. Such remains may also be able to offer an insight into the overall function of enclosed settlements and the place they held in the local landscape. There is good potential for the recovery of environmental evidence from the ground surfaces sealed by the ramparts and from the fills of the ditch. Deposits such as these have the potential to inform us of the character of the local landscape at the time the settlement was occupied and the way it was managed. Sites in marginal land surviving as upstanding earthworks can enhance our understanding and appreciation of similar monuments that exist in arable landscapes as cropmarks.

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.