Description

The monument comprises the remains of a cursus monument, barrows, enclosures and associated features of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument occupies level ground at around 20m OD close to the Montrose Basin. The largest feature is a cursus monument aligned ESE- WNW measuring approximately 650m long by 75m wide with a transverse partition towards its WNW end. This monument is representative of a class of ritual, processional enclosures characteristic of the Later Neolithic period. The cursus contains the remains of at least four round barrows at intervals along its length.

The W end of the cursus is occupied by a univallate enclosed settlement, the entrance of which faces along the interior of the cursus. This enclosure contains the remains of several substantial timber roundhouses represented by ring ditches and dark circular cropmarks. There is further evidence for later prehistoric occupation S of the enclosure, outside the cursus, where there are numerous additional ring ditches.

It appears that the monument originated as a Neolithic ritual site and was used extensively for burial before later being adapted as part of an enclosed settlement complex. The scale and extent of the remains indicate that this was a site of considerable importance.

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 730m E-W by 270m as marked in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes existing drainage lines, to facilitate maintenance, and also specifically excludes the public roadway (and its verges) which cuts through the centre of the area.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual practice as well as prehistoric settlement and economy. The functional and chronological relationships between the various features have the potential to provide a detailed reconstruction of the development of an important ritual and settlement language over several millennia.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 65 NE 49, 50, 34 and 36.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1978) Lunan Valley/Montrose Basin List, No. 154, 156, 200.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland