Description

The monument comprises the remains of two palisaded enclosures of prehistoric date, visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. The palisaded enclosures are examples of enclosed settlements probably dating to the Iron Age ((800 BC – AD 400). The monument lies in arable farmland, at a height of around 20m above sea level.

The enclosures are roughly circular on plan and measure approximately 40m in diameter. The northern enclosure has a narrow palisade ditch around 1.5m wide with a break for an entrance on the east, measuring around 3m wide. The southern enclosure is visible for around three-quarters of the circuit - the southeast portion not visible on aerial photographs. The ditch again is around 1.5m wide, with three breaks possibly for entrances at the north northeast, south southwest and north northwest arcs, measuring between 2-4.5m wide. 

The scheduled area is irregular and 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 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 an important indicator of prehistoric settlement dating from later prehistory, most likely the Iron Age period. In particular, it adds to our understanding of later Prehistoric society in Scotland and the function, use and development of enclosures and enclosed settlement sites. The presence of two enclosures adds to our interest and the prospect that this may be a multi-phase site.

b.       The monument is visible as cropmarks and we can be confident it retains buried structural and other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past. Study of aerial images demonstrates the overall plan from of the monument is clear and understandable.  There is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within the monument that are not visible as cropmarks.

c.        The monument is an unusual example – comprising two similar palisaded enclosures in close proximity.

d.       The monument is a good example of palisaded enclosures because of the survival and high archaeological potential in the buried soil layers. It is therefore an important representative of this monument type and can help us understand more of the daily lives of communities living and working here and the wider environment of prehistoric society and economy.

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 palisaded enclosures and enclosed settlements, and the nature of Later Prehistoric society, economy and social organisation in this area and further afield in Scotland. Further research and investigation of the surviving buried remains have the potential to explain a more accurate chronology for the site. This chronology can help us understand more of the development of similar later prehistoric sites across Scotland.

f.        The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the prehistoric landscape here by its close physical association with other prehistoric 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 a pair of similar sized palisaded enclosures, A palisade is a timber fence of closely spaced posts set into a continuous narrow trench. Such palisaded enclosures were likely to have contained settlements and are characteristic of enclosed settlement dating to the first half of the first millennium. The palisaded enclosures survive as buried remains in the soil, each with an outer ditch and one or more breaks for entrances. The overall plan form of the monument is visible in aerial images. The enclosures each have a clear ditch, roughly circular on plan, one with a single break for an entrance and the second, with three breaks also thought to be entrances.

Such remains are generally understood to be settlements and used to enclosure dwellings such as roundhouses. Archaeological monuments often contain features that are not visible in aerial photographs and can have well preserved stratified layers containing archaeological and environmental deposits. The absence of visible features within the interior could suggest the monument was not constructed for occupation but it could equally be a product of the soil matrix not revealing such features. It is common for aerial photographs of the same location taken over a number years and in a variety of seasons and conditions to reveal different features on different occasions.

Study of the monument's form compared with other settlement sites could enhance our understanding of the construction and development sequence here and of prehistoric settlements in general. The difference between the number and location of breaks in the ditches, probably entrances, between the two enclosures has interesting research potential that might indicate specific uses, roles of the enclosures and the dates of their construction. There is excellent potential for the survival of archaeological features and deposits here, including occupation and abandonment debris, artefacts and environmental remains such as charcoal or pollen. It has the potential to add to our understanding of settlement, land-use and the environment during the Later Prehistoric period. It has the potential to provide information about the economy, diet and social status of the occupants, as well as the structure of contemporary society and its economy.

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

Palisaded enclosures, often forming enclosed settlements, are found throughout Scotland. This example is significant because of the presence of two such enclosures in close proximity. It is part of a particularly dense local grouping, with six further such enclosure lying within 750m (for example Tonnachrae, palisaded enclosure 260m NNW of (scheduled monument SM7452) and Enclosed settlement, 570m NNW of Tonnachrae (scheduled monument SM7470). The National Record of the Historic Environment indicates twenty similar examples lying within a 10km radius of this pair.  These wider examples are thought to be similar in function and broadly contemporary.

There is potential to study these sites together to better understand their functions within a contemporary local community and their positioning in the landscape. The monument, therefore, has the potential to enhance and broaden our understanding of prehistoric society, community and economy.

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 IDs 79028 and 79030 (accessed on 19/01/2024).

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/79028/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/79030/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland