Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed settlement of later prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The enclosure lies on well-drained, locally high ground at around 120m OD, above the Bilsdean Burn. It is apparently rectilinear in form, defined by a single ditch some 3-4m wide of which three sides are visible on the available aerial photographs. The overall dimensions of the enclosure are approximately 40m E-W by a minimum of 20m. There are possible indications of an entrance in the centre of the S side of the enclosure. Although the N side of the enclosure is not visible, the N part of the site is occupied by a diffuse cropmark which may represent the remains of occupation material associated with the enclosure. Rectilinear enclosures of this type are generally interpreted as representing native settlements of the Later Iron Age or Roman period.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectilinear with dimensions of 120m E-W by 80m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of native domestic organisation and economic practice in the period of Roman influence in southern Scotland. The likely survival of occupation deposits greatly enhances the site's importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 77 SE 33.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland