Scheduled Monument

Morayston, palisaded enclosure 1km SW ofSM5298

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
17/03/1992
Last Date Amended
10/11/2016
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: palisaded enclosure
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Petty
NGR
NH 74500 48293
Coordinates
274500, 848293

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.

Statement of National Importance

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

References

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.

HER/SMR Reference

  • Highland Council MHG 2934

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.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 12:28