Description

The monument comprises the remains of a shell midden of prehistoric date surviving as a grassed over mound in woodland.

The monument lies in woodland at around 5m OD and is cut through by a small stream known as the Deil's Burn. It comprises two mounds, one some 20m in maximum diameter and some 2-3m high on the W side of the burn and the other rather smaller, on the opposite bank. Numerous shell fragments are visible on the surface.

The midden is one of several along the raised beach, which marks a former shoreline of the Forth, and which represent the remains of settlements and camp-sites of the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible remains and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is sub-rectangular in shape with maximum dimensions of 55m NE-SW by 20m 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 contribute to our understanding of Mesolithic and Neolithic economy and environment, and of the nature of the transition to farming in Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NS 98 SE 69.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland