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Latitude: 56.5324 / 56°31'56"N
Longitude: -3.0832 / 3°4'59"W
OS Eastings: 333474
OS Northings: 738347
OS Grid: NO334383
Mapcode National: GBR VH.2FR8
Mapcode Global: WH6PY.M21H
Entry Name: Knowhead,souterrains 500m WNW of
Scheduled Date: 30 September 1996
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM6467
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: souterrain, earth-house
Location: Auchterhouse
County: Angus
Electoral Ward: Monifieth and Sidlaw
Traditional County: Angus
The monument comprises the remains of a group of at least 3 souterrains of later prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.
The monument lies on relatively level ground above a break of slope in arable farmland at around 200m OD. It comprises a souterrain some 25m long by about 3m wide, aligned NNE-SSW and, some 5m to the N, a further souterrain about 15m long and approximately 2m wide, aligned WNW-ESE. About 20m SE is another souterrain approximately 17m long and about 3m wide, aligned N-S.
The stone side walls of this latter structure show up as distinct parch-marks in the crop. There are other, less well-defined cropmarks in the complex that probably represent the remains of contemporary, above-ground structures. Another group of souterrains in a nearby field is proposed for scheduling separately.
Souterrains were semi-underground cellars attached to above-ground settlements during the Iron Age. They are generally thought to have been used for storage.
The area to be scheduled encompasses the souterrains and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectangular with maximum dimensions of 90m N-S by 60m E-W as marked in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. Its importance is enhanced by its proximity to sites of potentially contemporary date.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NO 33 NW 19.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Other nearby scheduled monuments