Description

The monument comprises the remains of a barrow cemetery dating to the earlier part of the 1st millennium AD and represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies at around 20m OD on the N bank of the North Esk. It comprises the remains of at least five barrows, one square and four round. The round barrows each appear to be around 8-10m in diameter with ditches around 2m wide. Each has a well-defined central grave pit showing as a sharp, dark cropmark. The square barrow lies in the centre of the group and has sides approximately 8-10m long: it contains traces of a central grave pit.

The barrows are surrounded by a series of less well-defined cropmarks some of which might represent the remains of further burials. Barrow cemeteries of this type are generally thought to date to the earlier part of the 1st millennium AD. The area around the site contains the remains of at least two enclosed settlements which may be in part contemporary with the cemetery.

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 irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 100m WNW-ESE by 100m, 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 burial practices in the earlier part of the 1st millenium AD. The possible association of the cemetery with two enclosed settlements in the vicinity further enhances their importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 76 SW 12.

Reference:

RCAHMS Lunan Valley/Montrose Basin List, No. 137.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland