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

  SM1246_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004006)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved burnt mound, dating probably to the Bronze Age (between about 2000 and 1000 BC). It survives as a roughly crescent-shaped grass-covered mound measuring approximately 30m in diameter and standing up to 2m high. The mound was partially excavated in 1900 and 1902, revealing two stone-built paved chambers with evidence of corbelled roofs. The E chamber measured about 2.7m N-S by 2.8m transversely and stood 1.5m high. A small slab-bottomed cavity was built into the centre of the floor, and smaller recesses were found to the N and E, with evidence for burning and a possible well or spring respectively. The W chamber measured 2.4m N-S by 2.7m transversely, stood 1.2m high and had a recess to the N. Quantities of burnt animal bone and pottery fragments were found in both chambers, one of which had two superimposed floor levels. Each chamber was joined by a short passage to a common, stone-walled, paved enclosure. A setting of upright slabs in the enclosure may indicate the site of a water trough. In 1946, RCAHMS noted a mass of burnt stones in the bank of the mound. The mound is situated on a gentle SW-facing slope overlooking Hoy Sound, at around 30m above sea level. The monument was originally scheduled in 1958, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 50m in diameter, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of the post-and-wire fence running NNE-SSW along the western edge of the monument.

Statement of 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, of prehistoric society and the construction and use of burnt mounds and their placing in the landscape. The good preservation of this monument, and the presence of unusually elaborate structures within the mound, especially the corbelled chambers and associated features, enhance its potential. There is high potential for the survival of further structures, archaeological deposits and environmental evidence relating to its development and function, which can further add to our understanding of Bronze Age society and domestic and agricultural life. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the nature of later prehistoric society and economy in Orkney.

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.