Description

The monument comprises the best preserved elements of a larger group of six hut circles and associated spread of approximately 36 field clearance cairns. It is situated to the E and NE of Tillypronie Lodge within a S-facing, sloping field that has reverted to rough pasture.

The monument comprises four hut circles, the footings of prehistoric houses between 2000 and 3000 years old, together with a spread of 27 associated field clearance cairns and a length of field bank. The hut circles each survive as an approximately circular, turf-covered bank, 0.2-0.3m high and up to 3m in width, enclosing interiors from 8-10m in diameter. All of the hut circles have been terraced into the slope and one still displays the position of the house entrance on the S, downhill side.

The easternmost hut circle of the group has a 5m by 3m oval annexe, or possibly a clearance cairn, adjoining its NE quarter.

The area to be scheduled comprises three discrete polygonal areas on plan, to include the visible remains and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use and associated agricultural activity may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The above-ground portions of the line of electricity poles crossing the monument are to be excluded from the scheduling, to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: The various elements of the monument are in a relatively good state of preservation; they are upstanding and clearly visible in the landscape. The reversion of the land to rough grazing has resulted in the preservation of the upstanding features and, in addition, the probable survival of archaeological deposits within the hut circles and beneath the field clearance cairns and field bank. The monument therefore has the potential to reveal further information about local variations in domestic architecture and building use in the later prehistoric period, as well as environmental information on prehistoric upland landuse.

Contextual characteristics: As a well-preserved group of hut circles, the monument has the potential to reveal much about house building and domestic life in the later prehistoric communities of NE Scotland. Comparing and contrasting each hut circle to other hut circles within the group forming the monument, other upland hut circles in the locality, to lowland cropmark sites and others outside the region can create an understanding of regional identity, economy and society.

National Importance: This monument is of national importance because it is well preserved, which is rare for this class of monument in this region. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of upland landuse and society in this locality and, by association, the rest of Scotland in the later prehistoric period. The sample of the associated agricultural landscape, represented by the areas of field clearance cairns and isolated length of field bank, is important because it preserves the relationship of the houses to the immediate archaeological landscape. The loss of this rare and well-preserved site in this area would affect our future ability to research and understand the above mentioned aspects of the past.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS record this monument as part of NJ40NW 49.

References:

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

Source: Historic Environment Scotland