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

  SM8652_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013393)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a recently discovered chambered cairn, apparently of the Hebridean Group, which is situated on a small coastal promontory in the Common Grazings of Hacklete in the SW corner of Great Bernera, Lewis.

The monument takes the form of a kerbed cairn with a concave forecourt defined by a number of upright and fallen orthostats. From the centre of the facade the vestiges of a chamber or passage, about 2m deep and 1m wide can be seen leading into the core of the cairn. A large boulder of outcrop appears to have been incorporated into this feature.

The body of the sub-circular cairn has been substantially robbed in antiquity, probably at the time when a sub-rectangular house was built into its rear (SSE) side. This building may have been part of an early township which was constructed in this area, other structures of which are visible in the vicinity.

To the NNE, in front of the forecourt, is a prominent artificial platform defined by drystone walling (surviving up to several courses in height). The relationship of this platform to the cairn is unclear, but it may again be a later feature. If so, it may have enhanced the preservation of Neolithic deposits in front of the tomb.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular on plan and measures 50m from WNW to ESE by 65m transversely, to include the monument and an area around in which evidence associated with its construction and use may survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a new addition to the small number of Neolithic chambered tombs which have been identified in Lewis and Harris, augmenting a grouping which has been identified in the Callanish and Breasclete area (the other main concentration being around Stornoway).

Despite being partially robbed, it retains the potential to provide evidence about the architectural form of such burial monuments and the ritual practices which were associated with them. The probability of related domestic settlement in the vicinity is also high.

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.