Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric fort with an inner enclosure likely dating to the Iron Age (800BC-400AD). The fort and enclosure are visible as upstanding earthworks. The monument is located on a ridge, orientated northeast-southwest, at approximately 260m above sea level. 

The fort survives as at least two upstanding earth ramparts and accompanying ditches, likely of represent multiple phases of construction, with a possible entrance to the south. The ramparts of the fort cut across the ridge to the southwest. Within the fort is a later oval enclosure, measuring 75m northeast-southwest by 42m, defined by a stoney bank up to 6m wide with an outer face 1.7m high and an entrance to the southwest. To the northeast the upstanding remains are slight due to levelling by historic ploughing. The entire monument has previously been planted over with trees. 

The scheduled area is irregular. 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 all current post and wire fencing and stone field walls are specifically excluded from the schedule to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past as the remains of a fort and enclosure dating from the Iron Age (800BC-400AD) which retains structural and other physical attributes such as ramparts and ditches, including a rock cut ditch, and a later enclosure within the interior of the fort. There is the potential for the monument to have multiple phases of occupation which is supported by dating evidence from comparable sites such as Ashkirkshiel earthwork 1600m SE of Ashkirktown (scheduled monument SM2224; 1.6km south). Excavation of similar monuments has shown that there is the potential for undisturbed archaeological deposits to survive, along with traces of internal structures, artefacts, environmental remains and material for radiocarbon dating. This can help us to date the monument more closely and tell us about the lifestyle of the occupants, including their daily activities, dress and diet as well as the local economy.

Forts and enclosed settlements are widespread across Scotland. The monument is a good example of a fort and is therefore an important representative of this monument type. The monument also has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement in southern Scotland during the Iron Age. The monument makes a significant contribution to today's landscape and our understanding of the prehistoric landscape. There is the potential to study the monument in relation to other broadly contemporary forts and enclosures in the immediate area such as Broadlee Hill, fort (scheduled monument SM2227; 3.3km west), North Synton, fort (scheduled monument; 1.9km north) and on a local and national scale to contribute to a better understanding of their distribution and chronology, their role in society, exploitation of natural resources and landforms and changing settlement patterns. 

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/54329/

HER/SMR Reference

https://www.trove.scot/place/54329

Source: Historic Environment Scotland