Description

The monument is a henge, the remains of a stone avenue, a Pictish carved stone and the remains of a possible square barrow. The henge and avenue date to the Bronze Age (2500 BC – 800BC), while the carved stone and possible barrow date from the 5th to 7th centuries AD. The monument lies on an east facing slope at about 65m above sea level.

The henge lies about 175m NNE of Broom Lodge. It is oval on plan, measuring 20m from north to south by 17.5m within two arcs of ditch measuring up to 6m broad and an external bank surviving up to 1.7m in height. There are two opposed entrances, on the north and south. The ditch measures 6m wide and the bank survives up to 1.7m high. Close to the inner lip of the ditch there was once a concentric circle of six standing stones, of which only two survive. The henge was excavated in 1855 revealing a central inhumation in a deep pit, abundant cremations and cinerary urns, and a number of artefacts. A cremation burial was found at the base of each of the two surviving stones. Further excavation between 2005-2007 within the henge uncovered stone sockets, pits and postholes, cremation burials, pottery and lithic artefacts. Excavation outside the north and south entrances of the henge uncovered additional stone sockets, an alignment of pits and the remains of a timber circle. 

A Pictish symbol stone has been relocated to the centre of the henge. It is a relatively flat, undressed, slab carved with a Pictish beast and a crescent and V-rod symbol. It was moved from its original location, about 65m northeast of the henge, in the 19th century. A 'large urn' was reportedly discovered when the original location of the symbol stone was excavated in the 19th century. Cropmarks recorded on aerial photographs record a probable square barrow in the same location.

The monument also includes the northern portion of an avenue recorded (by Maitland and others) as running from a stone circle, since destroyed by quarrying, north of the henge, to a point approximately 400m south of the henge. It has been suggested that the avenue consisted of 40 stones on either side, but only four remain. The first lies within the field containing the henge, the second is located approximately 70m east of Broom Lodge, the third approximately 30m east of Crichiebank, and the fourth about 100m south-southeast of Crichiebank.

The scheduled area is in four parts. The largest (northern) part is irregular. The scheduling runs up to but does not include the post and wire fence on the west and south. The Broom Lodge standing stone, the Crichiebank standing stone and the Broomend standing stone are also included. Each of these scheduled areas is a circle measuring 10m in diameter, centred on the standing stone. They include 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. Specifically excluded are the paving slabs, the above ground elements of the stone steps and wooden handrail, and top 30cm of the track at the standing stone 30m east of Crichiebank. The above ground elements of the post and wire fence at the standing stone about 100m south-southeast of Crichiebank are also excluded to allow for its maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a rare example of a Bronze Age monumental complex formed of a henge, avenue and associated activity. A destroyed stone circle (the site of which is to the northwest of the scheduled area), was originally part of this complex and may have been a recumbent stone circle. It is a highly unusual component of such a complex and adds to the importance of the surviving elements. The relocated Pictish stone and probable square barrow recorded at its original location provides further interest and greater time depth to the site. The monument retains structural and architectural features which make a significant contribution to our understanding of ceremony and belief in prehistory. The Pictish stone retains structural and decorative attributes, which inform us of the development and spread of insular art and the social structures that may have led to its creation. The square barrow tells us about the context of Pictish stones. There is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within and around the henge, avenue and square barrow which contribute to its research potential.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/80737/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/18621/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/294518/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/18632/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/18644/

HER/SMR Reference

NJ71NE0095
NJ71NE0003
NJ71NE0098
NJ71NE0097

Source: Historic Environment Scotland