Description

The monument is the remains of a roundhouse dating to the later prehistoric period (sometime between around 1800 BC and AD 400). It lies beneath the topsoil and is visible as cropmarks captured on oblique aerial photographs. The remains comprise a ring-ditch approximately 1m wide and 15m in external diameter. There appears to be an entrance on the SW. A dark cropmark within the ring-ditch is likely to indicate surviving internal deposits. The monument is located within former arable farmland towards the crest of the S-facing slope of Cowbakie Hill, at approximately 35m above sea level. The monument was first scheduled in 1998, but its interpretation has been revised: the present amendment takes account of this.

The scheduled area is irregular in plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence for the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling extends up to but excludes the fence to the S of the monument.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has significant potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric roundhouses and the later prehistoric landscape and settlement pattern of Fife. It has particular importance because its local context has been extensively studied: large-scale excavations were carried out in the surrounding landscape prior to development and have generated an archival record of the distribution and character of other prehistoric houses in this vicinity. This monument also has good potential for the survival of associated domestic remains and artefacts that can enhance our understanding of daily life, trade and exchange and the rural economy during this period. If this monument was to be lost or damaged, our understanding of later prehistoric building practices and settlement patterns in SE Scotland would be diminished.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO42NW 76.

Aerial Photographs used:

RCAHMS (1988) A56962 NO42NW76.

RCAHMS (1988) A56964 NO42NW76.

References

Archaeology Projects Glasgow, 1991 'Drumoig archaeological assessment statement', unpubl APG rep.

Halliday, S and Simpson, B 1997 'Drumoig, Craigie Hill, Fife. Data Structure Report part 3: Forgan Housing Area and Access Road', Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division report 25.4, Department of Archaeology, Glasgow.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland