Description

The monument comprises a later prehistoric/early medieval fort which has evidence of multiple phases of development and occupation. The fort survives as upstanding earthworks occupying the summit of Shaw Craigs. Immediately northeast of the fort are two substantial linear earthworks, each comprising a bank and ditch. The monument is around 300m above sea level. 

The fort is situated on the elongated summit of Shaw Craigs, from which the ground falls away steeply on all sides. The defences of the fort suggest three phases of construction. The most prominent belong to the second phase, comprising three ramparts extending along its northwest flank and around the northeast and southwest ends to enclose an area measuring 267m from northeast to southwest by 52m transversely. At either end, the inner rampart returns for a short distance along the lip of the escarpment forming the southeast flank of the hill, but this side is otherwise left undefended. There are entrances on the northeast and southwest sides. Several shallow scoops within the interior may represent round houses. 

The other main features visible within the interior are elements of earlier and later enclosures. The former comprises a heavily reduced rampart cutting across the northeast end, and the latter is represented by a rectilinear enclosure overlying the southwest end. Little more than a short length of the earlier rampart, which includes an entrance on the northeast, is visible. The rectilinear enclosure measures 85m from northeast to southwest by 49m transversely within a stone rampart over 3.5m in thickness, and also accompanied on the northeast and west by an outer rampart. The interior of the rectilinear enclosure is featureless and its entrance opens into the southwest entrance of the earlier fort. The two linear earthworks may have formed an associated land boundary and are truncated to the north by forestry. 

The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around 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 scheduled area excludes the above ground elements of all fences, to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The national importance of the monument is demonstrated in the following way(s) (see Designations Policy and Selection Guidance, Annex 1, para 17):a.  The monument is of national importance because it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past or has the potential to do so as a well-preserved example of a complex multi-period fort with an associated land boundary. b.   The monument retains structural and other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past. The monument survives as upstanding turf covered earth and stone ramparts with associated land boundaries. The ramparts reflect different phases of occupation perhaps from the later prehistoric to early medieval periods. There is a significant likelihood for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within and around the fort.d.   The monument is a particularly good example of a multi-period hillfort and is therefore an important representative of this monument type.e.   The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of the past. In particular it can tell us about the character and development of later prehistoric and early medieval settlement in southern Scotland and the nature of society, economy and social hierarchy in this area.f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the historic landscape by its association with a wider cluster of later prehistoric remains. The fort contributes to our understanding of the siting of such enclosures and how their builders exploited topographic features for defence and display. The fort, together with the nearby linear earthworks, offer the potential to further understand how territory was physically controlled and demarcated in the later prehistoric and early medieval periods.

Assessment of Cultural Significance

This statement of national importance has been informed by the following assessment of cultural significance:

Intrinsic characteristics (how the remains of a site or place contribute to our knowledge of the past)

The monument is a complex multi-period fort situated on the elongated summit of the hill above Shaw Craigs. The plan of the monument is clear and understandable with surviving elements of three phases of enclosure. Immediately outwith the defences on the northwest side are a pair of substantial linear earthworks likely to represent a land boundary.

Excavations on similar sites have shown that there is good potential for the survival of archaeological features and deposits, including occupation and abandonment debris, artefacts and environmental remains such as charcoal or pollen within the monument. It has the potential to add to our understanding of settlement, land-use and environment during the Iron Age and early medieval periods and to provide information about the economy, diet and social status of the occupants. Study of the monument's form and construction techniques compared with other forts would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site and of Iron Age forts in general.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)

The fort belongs to a wide class of later prehistoric / early historic defended enclosure or fort, with more than 1600 examples known of in Scotland. The Scottish Borders has a high concentration of this type of monument, there are 327 prehistoric forts recorded in the National Record for the Historic Environment for this area.

Later prehistoric forts are often sited on rocky knolls and ridges for defence as well as for territorial visibility in the wider landscape. The terrain at Shaw Craigs provides for natural defence on its western and southern sides while the inner and outer walling protect the easiest approach, from the north. The fort has been deliberately sited to take advantage of the terrain as well as its prominent position in the landscape, dominating lower ground to the south with commanding longer distance views to the southwest and northeast. 

The site is part of a local cluster of near-contemporary settlement and agricultural activity; there are a further 19 forts within 10km of Shaw Craigs. There is potential to study these sites together to better understand their functions within the local communities, settlement hierarchy and possible chronological development in the area. The monument has the potential to enhance and broaden our understanding of later prehistoric society and community as well as social organisation, land division and land use.

Additionally, two substantial linear boundaries are located immediately to the northeast of the fort and prior to afforestation, prehistoric cord rig cultivation was recorded a short distance to the north of the fort (Canmore ID: 56805). It can therefore help us understand the broader prehistoric exploitation of landscape and how communities managed land and natural resources in a particular locale.

Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)

There are no known associative characteristics that contribute to this monuments national importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Source: Historic Environment Scotland