Description

The monument comprises the remains of an unenclosed settlement of prehistoric date represented by at least three stone-walled circular houses, a possible hut platform, and traces of a rectilinear enclosure. It occupies an elevated, but not markedly defensive, position on Drumcarrow Craig at around 210m OD.

The largest house (A) has an internal diameter of c.8m. Its c.2m thick wall consists of massive inner and outer facing stones with a rubble core, and had been repaired on the NW. The wall is pierced on the E by a c.2m wide entrance. House A was partially excavated in 1962. This revealed the remains of a single post-hole adjacent to the entrance, which probably supported the door frame.

A raised threshold stone lay across the entrance on the line of the outer face of the wall. A sub-rectangular hearth lay in the centre of the hut. A small area in the NE of the house has a paved floor; elsewhere the floor was of rammed earth or rock outcrop. Leading from the hearth to the entrance is a short passage defined by upright boulders.

On the NE, lying against the outer face of the house wall, are the vestiges of a rectilinear enclosure of fairly slight build. The enclosure contained fragments of native pottery, suggesting that it may have demarcated a working area. Pottery was also found inside the house; other finds included a small assemblage of flint and coarse stone implements.

A second house (B) lies some 14m E of the first and appears to have been similar in construction, but is less well-preserved. It is represented by a slightly dished circular area measuring c.7m in diameter, with several large stones from the wall-facing around the circumference.

A third house (C), lying c.7m NE of the second, and of approximately the same size, is less well-preserved.

To the N of House B, and set on a little rocky shelf somewhat above the level of the rest of the settlement, there is a sub-circular platform, c.5m across, which may mark the site of a fourth house.

The settlement is probably Iron Age in date. On the basis of the house type and excavated finds, it may date to early in the first millennium AD.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the three houses and possible hut platform, and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectangular in shape with maximum dimensions of 65m E-W by 55m N-S, 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 prehistoric settlement and economy. It is also important as a rare survival of upstanding remains of prehistoric settlement in lowland Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 41 SE 2.

Reference:

Maxwell, G. S. (1969) 'Excavations at Drumcarrow, Fife: an Iron Age unenclosed settlement', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol. 100, 100-8.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland