Scheduled Monument

Woodhill, cursus 100m NW ofSM6564

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
17/12/1996
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cursus/bank barrow
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Barry
NGR
NO 51611 34667
Coordinates
351611, 734667

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a cursus of Neolithic date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies in arable farmland at around 30m OD. It comprises the remains of a cursus defined by two parallel rows of large pits 40m apart, visible for a length of around 130m.

A further row of pits joins these two rows approximately half-way along their visible length. Adjacent to the S end of this linking row is a small circular ditch, apparently the remains of a burial mound. Each individual pit within the rows measures some 2-3m in diameter.

Cursus monuments date to the Neolithic period, from around 3500 BC, and appear to have been used for ceremonial purposes, possibly involving processions, as well as occasionally for burial.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the cursus and an area around it in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectangular in shape measuring 180m NE-SW by 80m NW-SE as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of Neolithic ceremonial and funerary practice.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 53 SW 45.

Aerial Photographs used:

RCAHMS (1990) B43117 NO53SW45.

RCAHMS (1990) B$£119 NO53SW45.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 29/03/2024 07:21