Description

The monument comprises the remains of a burial cairn of Neolithic or Bronze Age date represented by a turf-covered stony mound surrounded by a modern wall.

The monument lies in level arable farmland at around 50m OD, immediately NE of a dismantled railway to the S of Friockheim. The cairn is some 22.5m in diameter and stands to a height of some 3m above the surrounding field. It is revetted by a modern drystone wall which serves now to prevent the encroachment of ploughing onto the mound.

Nineteenth century excavations exposed two cists and there is every likelihood that more burials remain within and under the mound. On the basis of comparable examples previously excavated, the cairn may also be expected to contain complex constructional features and evidence for funerary and other ritual practices.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible cairn and an area around it in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is circular with a diameter of 55m as marked in red on the accompanying map. In order to facilitate maintenance and repair the relatively modern drystone wall around the cairn is excluded from the scheduling.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practice. The cairn may be expected to contain burials and other ritual deposits as well as evidence for its construction. The surrounding area may well contain deposits relating to ritual activities focused on the cairn.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 54 NE 3.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1978) Lunan Valley List, No. 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland