Description

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved burnt mound, dating probably to the Bronze Age (between 2000 and 800 BC). It survives as a substantial crescent-shaped grass-covered mound, measuring approximately 21m NW-SE by 18m transversely and standing up to 2.3m high. It is composed mainly of accumulated burnt stones and other burnt material. The crescent-shaped mound is open on its W side, where a depression contains the remains of a rectangular stone-built trough. The mound is situated on low-lying boggy ground, immediately S of the Burn of Tafts. It is located some 1.2km inland from the W coast of Rousay, at around 50m above sea level. The monument was originally scheduled in 1935, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 50m in diameter, as shown in red on the accompanying map. It includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the past, in particular, the dating, form and function of burnt mounds and their placing within the landscape. The Knowe of Dale is a particularly well preserved and unusually large example of a burnt mound, with high archaeological potential. Antiquarian excavation has demonstrated the presence of well-preserved internal structures, such as the in-situ water trough. It is one of several burnt mounds in close proximity, which adds to its potential to enhance our understanding of burnt mounds as components of the wider prehistoric landscape in Orkney. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the origins, function and development of burnt mounds and the nature of later prehistoric society and economy in Orkney.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY33SE 15.

References

Anthony, I 2003, Luminescence Dating of Scottish Burnt Mounds: New Investigations in Orkney and Shetland, Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow.

Hedges, J 1975, 'Excavation of two Orcadian burnt mounds at Liddle and Beaquoy', Proc Soc Antiq Scot 106, 39-98.

Lee, D 2008, Quandale, Rousay: The Biography of a Landscape: An Interpretive Landscape Survey, Unpublished MA Thesis, Orkney College.

RCAHMS 1946, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Twelfth report with an inventory of the ancient monuments of Orkney and Shetland, 3v, Edinburgh, 225, no 584.

RCAHMS 1982, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, Orkney Islands Area, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series 16, Edinburgh, 21, no 59.

ScARF, 2013, 3.3.1 'Burnt Mounds', The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework website, .

Toolis, R 2005, 'Excavation of a burnt mound at Meur, Sanday, Orkney', Scottish Archaeol J, 29(1).

Topping, P 2011, Introduction to Heritage Assets: Burnt Mounds, English Heritage, UK.

Towrie, S 2013, 'A Brief History of Orkney - The Bronze Age', http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/bronzeage.htm.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland