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

  SM4315_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010239)

Summary

Description

The monument is a standing stone dating probably to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age (late third or second millennium BC). It stands approximately 2m high and is 1.1m wide by 0.5m thick. The stone is in its original location, although it fell in 2010 and was re-erected in 2011. Small-scale excavation around its base at that time revealed evidence for its original erection, including the socket and large packing stones. Two cremation burials were also found, both within Collared Urns and with associated grave goods, including stone tools and bone tools. The find of a rare single-hole bone whistle was particularly significant: it is one of only two found in Scotland. One of the burials has been radiocarbon dated to the first half of the second millennium BC. The stone is situated in a fenced area within a ploughed field. It stands on the crest of a knoll, with wide views to the S, at around 70m above sea level. The monument was first scheduled in 1935, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 20m in diameter, centred on the stone. The scheduling includes the standing stone and an area around it within which evidence relating to the monument's erection and use is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling excludes the above-ground elements of the post-and-wire fence which encloses the monument.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance as a well-preserved and impressive example of an individual, prehistoric standing stone. The stone stands in its original location, although it was re-erected in 2011. Small-scale excavation suggests there is high potential for the presence of further important archaeological deposits and features in the undisturbed area around the stone, including possibly additional cremation burials. The monument has high potential to enhance our understanding of ritual and ceremonial activities in prehistory, specifically, the beliefs of the people who erected standing stones and the activities carried out in their vicinity. The loss of this monument would diminish our ability to understand the nature of prehistoric belief and ritual in Angus and the placing and function of standing stones 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.