Description

The monument comprises the remains of an earthen burial monument known as a barrow and a pit alignment, both of prehistoric date, visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. The monument lies in arable farmland, at a height of around 20m above sea level.

The scheduled area contains cropmarks of a barrow, a form of earthern burial monument, that probably dates to the Bronze Age (2500BC-800BC) or, less likely, the Iron Age (800BC-500AD).  The barrow comprises two concentric circular features, which may be indicative of different phases of activity. Overall, it measures approximately 30m in diameter. There is a roughly semi-circular alignment of at least nine similarly sized pits immediately to the north northeast of the barrow. The west northwest by south southeast line of pits is around 20m in length and the perpendicular line of pits is around 30m in length. There are a further two pits approximately 15m northwest of this alignment which may represent a continuation of this feature. The pit alignment is likely to represent a prehistoric boundary feature or possibly an enclosure. 

The scheduled area is rectangular measuring 75m by 90m. 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. The above ground elements of any post and wire fences are excluded to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The national importance of the monument is demonstrated in the following way(s) (see Designations Policy and Selection Guidance, Annex 1, para 17):

a.        The monument is of national importance because it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past as a prehistoric burial monument, most likely dating from the Bronze Age. In particular, it adds to our understanding of prehistoric society in Scotland and the function, use and development of ritual and funerary sites. This example also contributes to our understanding of the plan, design and siting of prehistoric ritual and burial monuments in the later prehistoric period. 

b.       The monument is visible as cropmarks and we can be confident it retains buried structural and other physical attributes which makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past. Study of aerial images demonstrates the overall plan of the monument is clear and understandable with features surviving as buried remains. There is also significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within the monument that are not visible as cropmarks. The monument can significantly add to our understanding of ritual and burial sites during the Later Prehistoric period.

c.        The monument is a rare example of a substantial burial site with evidence of additional activity in the immediate vicinity – an adjacent alignment of pits.

d.       The monument is a good example of a barrow and pit alignment and is therefore an important representative of these monument types. It can enhance our understanding of prehistoric society and economy, as well as the nature of burial and ceremonial practices and belief systems.

e.        The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of the past. It can tell us about the character, development and use of ritual sites, and the nature of prehistoric society, economy, social hierarchy and burial in this area of Scotland and further afield. Further research and investigation of the surviving buried remains have the potential to explain a more accurate chronology for this site. Such a chronological explanation may help to inform our understanding of the development of similar prehistoric sites across Scotland.

f.        The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the prehistoric landscape by its association with other broadly contemporary sites in the local area.

Assessment of Cultural Significance

This statement of national importance has been informed by the following assessment of cultural significance:

Intrinsic characteristics (how the remains of a site or place contribute to our knowledge of the past)

The monument is an earthen barrow and pit alignment visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs, located on fairly level arable land. The overall plan of the monument is very clear on the aerial images with twin concentric circular ditches and eleven pits visible. 

The barrow is defined by outer and inner circular ditches. Barrows are typically circular or sub-circular on plan, although some later prehistoric/early historic examples are square. They can be defined by a bank and ditch arrangements. Round barrows like this example are burial monuments of a type characteristic of the Bronze Age, although related forms do occur in the late Iron Age. Their interiors may be expected to contain evidence of one or more burials, human remains and associated artefacts. To the northeast of the barrow is a series of pits running on a curvilinear or L-plan arrangement. The pit alignment is likely to represent a prehistoric boundary feature or possibly an enclosure and it appears to respect the position and extent of the barrow. This could be a later feature that served a related or different purpose from the burial and ritual use of the barrow.

Buried archaeology monuments often contain features that are not visible on aerial photographs and can have well preserved stratified layers of archaeological deposits. There is therefore potential for the survival of archaeological features and deposits, including the remains of one or more burials, artefacts and environmental remains such as charcoal or pollen within the barrow and pit alignment and immediately outside of the visible remains. The monument has the potential to provide information about the function and date of the barrow and pit alignment. Study of the monument's form and construction techniques, compared with other barrows in particular, would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site.

Further scientific study of this site would allow us to develop a better understanding of the nature and chronology of the site, including its date of origin, the character of the remains and the overall development sequence.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)

Barrows are found throughout Scotland. This example is of particular significance because of the outer and inner ditch arrangement and the very close proximity of the pit alignment. The National Record of the Historic Environment records eleven barrows and seven round barrows within a 10km radius of this monument. The closest example, located only 450m west-northwest, is also visible as a cropmark - Mahaar, barrow 320m N of (scheduled monument SM7445).

There is potential to study these sites together to better understand their functions within their contemporary local communities and possible chronological development in the area. The monument has the potential to enhance and broaden our understanding of prehistoric society, community as well as ritual and funerary practices. In particular, this monument can help us understand more of the interactions and relationships between barrows and pit alignments.

Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)

There are no known associative characteristics that contribute to this site's cultural significance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 80782 (accessed on 17/01/2024).

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/80782/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland