Description

The monument is a burial cairn of the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, some 3500 to 4500 years old. It is situated on one of the subsidiary summits of Back Drum and is surmounted by the march fence. It measures 13m in diameter and is c 2m high. It is surmounted by what may be a grass-covered boundary cairn. It will cover at least one burial; cremations may have also have been dug into its surface.

The mound will also preserve beneath it a fragment of the prehistoric land surface. The area to be scheduled measures 40m in diameter, to include the mound and an area around in which traces of associated activity may survive, as marked in red on the attached map. The fabric of the modern fence is specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved burial cairn which has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric burial and ceremonial practices. Its importance is enhanced because it seems not to have been disturbed by antiquarian excavation, and because there are two possibly related mounds on nearly hilltops. Excavation of the buried land surface could increase our knowledge of prehistoric land use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

Source: Historic Environment Scotland