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

  SM3549_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009608)

Summary

Description

The monument is a chambered cairn dating to the Neolithic period, probably between 3500 and 2500 BC. It appears to be a Maes Howe type chambered cairn. It survives as a mainly turf-covered mound, measuring approximately 21m N-S by 17m E-W, and stands up to 1m high. Irregular hollows over the surface suggest the cairn has been quarried for stone in the past. Parts of the structure are exposed in places. Towards the N end of the mound a 1.4m length of wall-face is visible running N-S and standing three to four courses high. Adjacent on the W side, the entry to a side cell reveals the upper walls of a small corbelled cell, 1.4m by 0.9m, and a short stretch, 1.1m by 0.3m wide, of the lintelled passage leading to the cell. The monument occupies a prominent position on the highest point of a natural rocky ridge which dominates the surrounding flat coastal plain on the southern tip of Egilsay, at 15m OD. The monument was originally scheduled in 1974, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is roughly oval and is centred on the centre of the monument. The scheduling 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.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, particularly the dating, design and construction of burial monuments and the nature of belief systems and burial practices during the Neolithic period. In Orkney chambered cairns are often focal points and an important component of the wider prehistoric landscape. Ritual and funerary monuments such as this can enhance our understanding of Neolithic society, organisation, economy, religion and demography. This monument is particularly valuable as the only known Neolithic monument in Egilsay. Discovered only in 1972, it has not been investigated in the past and, despite some stone quarrying, retains much of its structural form. There is good potential for the survival of archaeological deposits within the central chamber and side cells. Its orientation and location are also likely to be significant as chambered cairns are usually positioned with reference to astronomical phenomena. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the meaning and importance of death and burial in prehistoric times and the placing of such monuments within 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.