Description

The monument comprises the remains of two hut circles and two platforms, surviving as upstanding earthworks and mounds. These sites are regarded as dwellings dating to the later prehistoric period and are situated close together on flat open rough grazing at 285 m OD on the south facing slopes of Tap O' Noth.

The S hut circle, measuring 10 m in diameter, survives as an earth bank. Located 30 m to the NNW, the second hut circle is also distinguished by an earth bank with occasional stones within it and measures 10 m in diameter. The two platforms are immediately adjacent to the northern hut circle being grassy circular mounds, 6 m and 10 m in diameter respectively. The larger platform is distinguished by larger boulders set on the eastern edge of the platform. The monument is surrounded by numerous cairns and traces of an ancient field system.

The area to be scheduled is sub-rectangular on plan, to include the two hut circles, two platforms and an area around and between them where traces of activities associated with their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

Cultural significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: the monument is a well-preserved archaeological site. It has not been excavated and therefore has the potential to provide high quality archaeological evidence for the construction, use and abandonment of prehistoric dwellings.

Contextual characteristics: the site is a good example of a type known throughout northern Scotland. The site is probably associated with ancient cairns and a field system. These features may well be contemporary and therefore enhance the potential to understand the agricultural context of domestic activity on the site.

Associative characteristics: the monument is the product of prehistoric peoples and demonstrates the dominant type of dwelling using during the Bronze and Iron Ages in northern Scotland.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the settlement and economy of Scotland during the Bronze and Iron Ages. This potential is enhanced by its relatively good preservation. The loss of this example would affect our ability to understand the Bronze and Iron Ages in Scotland

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the monument as NJ42NE 158. There are further related RCAHMS NMRS entries for the immediate area which are NJ42NE 159 and NJ42NE 46.

Aerial photographs:

D35908 26/10/1998 Oblique aerial view of Newseat centred on the remains of the farmstead with hut circles, cairn and farmhouse adjacent, taken from the N.

D35908 26/10/1998 Oblique aerial view of Newseat centred on the remains of the farmstead with hut circles, cairn and farmhouse adjacent, taken from the NW.

D35908 26/10/1998 Oblique aerial view of Newseat centred on the remains of the farmstead with hut circles, cairn and farmhouse adjacent, taken from the SW.

References:

RCAHMS 2007, IN THE SHADOW OF BENNACHIE: THE FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY OF DONSIDE, ABERDEENSHIRE, Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland