Description

The monument comprises the buried remains of a palisaded enclosure, which are prehistoric enclosures defined by one or more rows of closely-spaced timbers, probably dating to between 1500BC and 500AD. The monument is visible as a cropmark captured on oblique aerial photographs. There is also a slightly raised area on the ground surface. The monument lies about 45m above OD, just above a gentle slope falling north-northwest and less than 1.5km from the coast.

The enclosure is defined by a very shallow ditch approximately 0.5m wide, representing the bedding trench for a timber palisade. The enclosed area measures approximately 20m in diameter. The slight rise in the land indicates the extent of the enclosure within the ditch. There is no sign of an entrance although the complete circuit is not fully visible on the aerial photographs.

The scheduled area is circular, measuring 50 metres in diameter to include 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, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The monument was first scheduled in 1992, but the scheduled area was too extensive: the present amendment rectifies this.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to knowledge and understanding of the later prehistoric domestic landscape. There is high potential for preservation of buried deposits within and around the ditch that can help us understand the chronology, development and function of such monuments. The palisaded enclosure is a rare example of its type as most are larger in size. It forms part of a cluster of later prehistoric sites in eastern Inverness-shire that is one of the most important in northeast Scotland. Understanding of the distribution and character of later prehistoric enclosures and settlements would be diminished if this monument was to be lost or damaged

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland https://canmore.org.uk/site/14217/newton CANMORE ID 14217 (accessed on 28/06/2016) and aerial photographs DPP16625 (2013) and IN2652, IN3101-3 (1976-7).

The Highland Council Historic Environment Record MHG 2934 (accessed on 28/06/2016).

RCAHMS, 1979, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of North-east Inverness, Inverness District, Highland Region, 22, No. 164.

Thawley, J E, 1976, 'Newton of Petty, Clava cairn', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1976, p.36.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/14217/

HER/SMR Reference

Highland Council MHG 2934

Source: Historic Environment Scotland