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

  SM1470_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004218)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric monolith quarry and a horned long cairn both dating to the Neolithic (probably third millennium BC) and a prehistoric enclosure dating probably to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age (late third to second millennium BC). The monument is located on the S-facing slope of Vestra Fiold Hill, at between 50m and 100m above sea level. It has extensive views in all southwards-facing directions.

The enclosure is irregular in form and measures approximately 275m E to W by up to 300m transversely. The turf-covered enclosure bank is built of earth and stone with edge-set stones at irregular intervals. In the centre of the enclosure is a low mound approximately 4m in diameter with two edge-set slabs visible. The prehistoric quarry is located NE of the enclosure and comprises a series of quarry faces trending WSW-ENE from which monoliths have been quarried, together with associated evidence for their working and transportation; at least five monoliths are still present on the site. The long cairn, located NE of the quarry, is visible as a low elongated oval mound of earth and stone. It measures approximately 22.5m NE-SW by 15m transversely and stands up to 1.5m high with horns on its NE façade. Animal bone from its construction levels has been radiocarbon dated to between 2800 and 2500 BC. The monument was first scheduled in 1940, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan to include the remains described above and areas 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 all post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of prehistoric Orkney, specifically, prehistoric monolith quarrying, the construction and use of enclosures and burial monuments, and prehistoric ceremony and ritual. The quarry, with cut monoliths still present, supplied stones for both the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, connecting it to these two exceptionally important components of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. The horned cairn is of unusual construction and appears to be broadly contemporary with the quarry and, therefore, the stone circles in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The unusual enclosure survives to a marked degree. Its diagnostic bank is clearly visible around most of the circuit and has produced significant quantities of cramp, perhaps indicative of ritual or funerary activities. The multi-phase and multi-purpose elements of this site indicate that this was a significant place for the communities of prehistoric Orkney. Its position in the landscape and the low impact of subsequent land-use mean that important archaeological and palaeoenvironmental deposits and features are highly likely to be preserved. Our understanding of the form and function of prehistoric enclosures, monolith quarries and burial monuments would be diminished if this site was to be lost or damaged.

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.