Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed settlement and a palisaded enclosure recorded as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. Both probably date to the end of the Bronze Age (2500 BC – 800 BC) or the Iron Age (800 AD – 500 AD). The enclosed settlement has at least four phases of construction and is visible as a series of overlapping ditch features. Only the northeast corner of the palisaded enclosure has been recorded and this is visible on oblique aerial photographs as a narrow, curved trench directly southwest of the enclosed settlement. The monument lies in farmland at about 30m above sea level.

The largest enclosure of the settlement is oval on plan. It measures about 85m from northwest to southeast by at least 65m within a ditch measuring up to about 4.5m broad. A clear entrance gap is visible on the southeast. Part of the north section of the ditch has not been recorded as cropmarks but can be expected to survive. Around 10m within and concentric to this ditch is a second enclosure measuring about 65m from northwest to southeast by at least 60m within a ditch about 1.5m broad. It also has an entrance gap on the southeast and its northern extent has not been recorded. This enclosure is intersected by two concentric ditches set about 5-7m apart, together probably defining a third enclosure measuring about 68m from northwest to southeast by at least 60m within the ditches. A section of a palisade has been recorded immediately inside the inner of these two ditches. The inner ditch probably converges with the ditch of the largest enclosure on the southeast, though the cropmarks are less clear here. A fourth ditch, probably defining another enclosure, lies within these two ditches and intersects with the inner of the two ditches on the northwest. There is an indication of a short stretch of a palisade trench immediately inside this ditch. A short arc of a narrow ditch and darker marks in the interior may represent roundhouses.

A section of a palisaded enclosure is visible in cropmarks about 10m southwest of the enclosed settlement. Only the northeast section of the enclosure has been recorded, indicting it measured at least 50m from north to south by at least 40m.

The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area specifically excludes the above ground elements of the utility pole. The scheduled area runs up to but does not include the post and wire fence on the west and south

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past as a multi-phase prehistoric enclosed settlement and a palisaded enclosure. It is an important indicator of later prehistoric settlement and associated activity in central Scotland. It retains structural field characteristics in buried stratigraphic layers demonstrated by cropmarks and has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. In particular, the functional and chronological development of the enclosed settlement, and its relationship with the palisaded enclosure is of significance for the study of the development of later prehistoric settlement in lowland Scotland. It could help inform us about the changing nature of settlement, agriculture, economy and population during the later prehistoric period in central Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland