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Meall Beag,settlement and field systems

A Scheduled Monument in Kirriemuir and Dean, Angus

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Coordinates

Latitude: 56.7282 / 56°43'41"N

Longitude: -3.3324 / 3°19'56"W

OS Eastings: 318568

OS Northings: 760411

OS Grid: NO185604

Mapcode National: GBR W3.Z112

Mapcode Global: WH6NV.S4BW

Entry Name: Meall Beag,settlement and field systems

Scheduled Date: 22 May 1989

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM4674

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: field or field system

Location: Glenisla

County: Angus

Electoral Ward: Kirriemuir and Dean

Traditional County: Angus

Description

The monument is a group of three settlements and their associated field systems lying on the SW, S and SE slopes of Meall Beag. The westernmost settlement comprises the remains of four circular stone-walled houses, all of double walled "Dalrulzian" type varying in diameter from 10m to 16.5m between the centres of the outer walls. The middle settlement comprises the remains of four circular houses; one is a "Dalrulzian" type 17m in diameter, another is of single wall type 9m in diameter.

The third and fourth houses form an unusual double "Dalrulzian" type with an attached yard. The eastern settlement also comprises four houses, two of "Dalrulzian" type 12m and 14m in diameter respectively, and two of single wall construction, 8m and 9m in diameter. The field system, which links the three settlements, is marked by substantial banks, lynchets and clearance cairns. The features are most easily visible in those areas clear of heather.

An approximately "L"-shaped area measuring a maximum of 1240m long (from E to W) and between 360m and 80m wide is proposed for scheduling, to include the three settlements and their associated common field system, as marked in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a very well preserved complex of settlements and field systems, representing a well preserved fragment of the later Bronze Age/Iron Age landscape, which has the potential to considerably enhance our understanding of prehistoric settlement and agricultural practices. The monument is of particular importance because in this case the opportunity survives to examine the relationship of small settlements to each other; work elsewhere in Scotland suggests that nucleated village settlement was beginning to appear at this time. Taken with the other surviving broadly contemporary settlements and farms in the area this complex has the potential to increase our knowledge of the development and use of the landscape in prehistoric times.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 16 SE 13 14 & 15

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Other nearby scheduled monuments

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