Description

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

The site lies on level ground in rolling arable farmland at around 45m OD in an area dominated by the presence of Traprain Law just over 1km to the W. The enclosure is formed by a sub-rectangular ditch some 3-4m wide. It has a NW-facing entrance located in the centre of the NW side and overall dimensions of approximately 30m NE-SW by 25m.

The monument is one of a group of sub-rectangular enclosed settlements clustered near Traprain Law, although it is atypical in having a more ovoid form with more markedly rounded corners than the others. This group of native settlements is likely to date to the period of the Roman incursions into southern Scotland, at a time when Traprain Law appears to have been an important tribal centre.

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 D-shaped with a straight side 110m long, aligned NE-SW along the modern road, 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 settlement and social organisation during the period of the Roman incursions into southern Scotland. Its significance is greatly enhanced by its association with the wider group of sites clustered near Traprain Law.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 57 NE 26.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland