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

  SM2399_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008627)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a souterrain (sometimes called an earth-house in Orkney), a subterranean structure built of stone and earth, dating probably from the Iron Age (between about 800 BC and 300 AD). The souterrain was identified during the installation of an electricity pole in 1958. The monument is not visible on the ground surface, but survives as an underground chamber and entrance passage, excavated into soft decayed rock. The sub-rectangular chamber measures approximately 3.6m by 3m and is 0.8m high at the centre. The roof is formed of stone slabs supported on an off-centre orthostat and a further seven peripheral orthostats. The entrance passage lies possibly to the S of the chamber and is reported to be 2.7m long and 0.9m wide. The monument is situated on low-lying agricultural land between the Loch of Skaill and the Loch of Clumly, at 25m above sea level, overlooking the Loch of Skaill to the N. The monument was originally scheduled in 1964, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is square on plan, with sides measuring 18m. It includes 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 an electricity pole and all post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has the inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, in particular, the dating, design, construction and function of souterrains and their significance to Iron Age communities in Orkney. The monument has high potential to enhance our understanding of later prehistoric society, its organisation, economy, religion and demography. In particular, it has high potential to add to our understanding of the agricultural basis of Iron Age settlements in Orkney and the storage and management of surpluses. It is highly likely that the monument retains most of its original form below ground: records indicate that the chamber and entrance passage are substantially intact. There is significant potential for the monument to preserve important evidence of the domestic and agricultural function of souterrains, and to clarify whether they also had a ritual or ceremonial function. As souterrains are often found in association with earlier, contemporary and later structures, there is also high potential for the preservation of other prehistoric remains in the immediate vicinity and surrounding landscape. The loss of this monument would diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the significance of souterrains and their placing in the 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.