Description

The monument comprises two prehistoric burial cairns surviving as prominent grass covered stoney mounds. They are sited about 60m apart in an area of cultivated land, at around 120m above sea level. 

The cairns are likely to date to the Neolithic to Bronze Age (2,500 BC – 800 BC). The first is a grass covered mound of stones approximately 14m by 12m and 4m high. Through the centre of the cairn is the remains of an excavation trench from the 1960s. This excavation identified a cist measuring 2.4m by 0.6m and roofed by three large slabs, within the cairn. The second cairn is located 60m to the south-southeast and measures approximately 33m north-northwest – south-southeast by 29m by 1.5m high. In the early 20th century, a short cist was discovered in the centre of this cairn.  

The scheduled area is circular irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument contributes significantly to our understanding and appreciation of the past as two cairns dating from the Neolithic (4,100 BC – 2,500 BC) to Bronze Age (2,500 BC – 800 BC). The monument retains structural and physical remains in the form of two cairns with cists comprised of large stone slabs and cairn material in the form of cobble sized stones.  Artefacts recovered from the first cairn (Canmore ID 12836) included burnt bone, possibly the remains of a cremation, found in the cist and saddle quern used as building material. Artefacts recovered from the cist of the second cairn (Canmore ID 12840) included pottery, charred wood and bone fragments. There is the potential for further buried archaeological structures, deposits, and artefacts to survive. These can tell us about prehistoric life, in particular the development of ritual and funerary practices, diet, technology and the migration of ancient populations. 

Both cairns are particularly representative examples of their type, though the first cairn is notable as having a large cist. The cairns continue to be recognisable features in the landscape, even more so for their close proximity to one another. The cairns are part of a group of at least 4 others in the immediate area the closest being Carn Glas, chambered cairn, 275m SSE of Ross Hill (SM3213; 200m north-northeast). There is the potential for these monuments to be studied together in order to better understand their distribution, development overtime, relation to their wider landscape setting and prehistoric land use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 12836;12840 (accessed on 10/09/2024).

Local Authority HER/SMR Reference MHG44995; MHG9011; MHG9015; MHG45027 (accessed on 10/09/2024).

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/12840/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/12836/

HER/SMR Reference

MHG9011
MHG9015
MHG44995
MHG45027

Source: Historic Environment Scotland