Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric homestead, possibly Iron Age in date, built into an earlier structure which may be a cairn. It is located on the summit of Stackaberg, a low rocky hill. The summit of the hill carries a large stony mound, which is largely grass-covered. This is about 16m across and up to 1.5m high. It appears to have been hollowed out and a secondary structure, very approximately oval on plan, created.

From the banks which edge this structure, and which are presumably tumbled walls, quantities of coarse pottery have been recovered, consistent with a late Bronze Age or early Iron Age date. It is likely that the secondary construction is a homestead, although its hill-top location is an unlikely one for an agricultural settlement. Traces of other former walls occur nearby, possibly indicating associated enclosures.

The area to be scheduled is a circle 60m across, to include the whole hill-top with the cairn and subsequent homestead, the other traces of walling visible nearby, and an area around these remains in which further evidence of their construction and use may survive. The area is marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a prehistoric settlement site which may incorporate a burial cairn and which has produced quantities of prehistoric artefactual material. It has the potential to provide information about prehistoric domestic economy and agriculture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 69 SW 9 and 21.

Reference:

PSAS (1960) 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol. 91, 200.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland