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

  SM5684_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011582)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of part of a Roman fort and annexe together with the remains of an associated bathhouse. These features lie on a south-facing slope, south of the remainder of the fort and annexe, above the modern Gilmerton Road and Elginhaugh Bridge. They survive as vegetation marks, visible on aerial photographs.

The installation defended the crossing point over the

River North Esk, forming a key part of the Roman military network in northern Britain. The remains date to the 1st century AD, with evidence for earlier native settlement in the vicinity. Extensive excavations were carried out on the fort and annexe, to the N of the area proposed for scheduling, in the 1980s in advance of development.

The annexe was found to contain extensive evidence for several phases of occupation. The location of the bathhouse was confirmed by trial excavations after its initial identification in aerial photographs. The area to be scheduled encompasses the southern part of the annexe, the entire bathhouse, and any southern defensive ditches or other outworks which may be associated with the fort.

It also encompasses an area around these features in which traces of associated activity may be preserved. It is irregular in shape, measuring a maximum of 400m NW-SE by 110m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as part of the first permanent Roman military presence in Scotland. It is a key site for studies of the development of Roman military installations in northern Britain and to studies of the Roman occupation of southern Scotland. The importance of the surviving remains is enhanced by their association with the excavated parts of the site. They form an important resource for the application of future research procedures and methodologies which could, in turn, enhance the value of the previously excavated evidence.

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.