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

  SM5779_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011676)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a group of ring ditches and square enclosures of the later prehistoric or early historic period, probably the remains of burial mounds or barrows, and of settlement, possibly of more than one period, situated on the Hills of Boyndie.

The remains appear on aerial photographs of arable fields as marks in cereal crops; experience shows that further remains will survive around and between the visible marks in areas not susceptible to cropmarks. A large group of cropmarks on the central summit of the hills represents the remains of at least two, and possibly four, square enclosures with interior marks, situated beside at least four ring ditches.

These are probably all remains of barrows. There are also straight and curved marks among and around them which may represent parts of further barrows or enclosures. A number of other cropmark enclosures, possibly settlement remains, are visible over an extensive area around the barrows. These include a possible promontory fort in the N corner of the field, defined by multiple ditches on its S side.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring up to 500m WNW-ESE by 350m and includes all the cropmark features described above, and an area around and between them in which further remains associated with their construction and use may survive. The area is marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a group of funerary and burial structures, of prehistoric or early historic period, between 1000 and 2500 years ago, together with associated settlement remains. They occupy a prominent position on a hilltop, and even though the area is under the plough experience shows that important archaeological deposits and structures will survive below plough level. A mixture of round and square barrows is unusual and of particular interest as the remains may date from more than one period, and indicate a continuity of activity over a long period. Their archaeological value is greatly enhanced by the presence of the settlement remains around them. The monument has the potential to increase our knowledge of the method and date of construction of burial mounds, particularly of square barrows, and of the related settlement. The monument is of particular importance because of the range and number of prehistoric remains which survive together at this location.

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.