Description

The monument comprises the remains of two ring ditch houses of prehistoric date and associated features, all represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies along a ridge in arable farmland at around 140m OD. The surrounding area is rich in the remains of prehistoric settlement and economic activity although within this pattern it represents a rare example of an unenclosed settlement.

The S of the two ring ditch houses is represented by a broad annular ditch some 15-18m in overall diameter. Some 40-50m N of this is a second, smaller ring ditch of similar form some 8-10m in diameter. Such ring ditches are characteristic of the later prehistoric period and have been found on excavation to represent the remains of former timber houses. Around and between these features are numerous linear cropmarks of uncertain origin, some of which may represent associated field divisions.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the two ring ditches and an area of the associated linear cropmarks. It is sub-rectangular with maximum dimensions of 145m NNW-SSE by 55m 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 prehistoric house construction and domestic organisation, and also of prehistoric land division. The importance of the monument is greatly enhanced by its association with the wider landscape of predominantly enclosed prehistoric settlement.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 57 SE 34.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland