Description

The monument is the remains of an enclosed settlement of probable Iron Age date (800BC – AD 400). It is oval on plan measuring about 98m from northwest to southeast by about 71m within a bank up to 7m thick and a ditch up to about 7.5m wide. It occupies the corner of a natural terrace on a northwest facing hillslope, at about 120m above sea level.

The bank stands up to about 1.2m high while the ditch is U-shaped and up to 1.2m deep. In places the ditch is accompanied by a counterscarp bank. The bank and ditch stand to their greatest height and depth around the east and northeast of the settlement. They reduce in height and depth as they approach the edge of the natural terrace to the northwest and southeast. Along the south and southwest, the boundary of the settlement follows the line of the natural slope. Here the line of the ditch becomes a terrace about 3m wide and the bank has been reduced to a scarp. The interior contains traces of coal mining in the form of small coal pits while quarrying has removed about 35m of the enclosing ditch and bank on the west.

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 top 30cm of the track is specifically excluded to allow for its maintenance. The coal pit located at NT 42174 67801 is used as a pond and regularly cleared. The top 50cm of the interior of this coal pit is excluded to allow for this ongoing 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 of the past as a settlement dating to the Iron Age. In particular, it adds to our understanding of Iron Age society in eastern Scotland and the function, use and development of enclosed settlements.b.   The monument retains structural and other physical attributes which makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past. In particular there is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits. The overall plan of the monument is clear and understandable. The monument can significantly add to our understanding of domestic settlement, society, agriculture and economy during the Iron Age.c.   The monument is a rare example of a surviving earthwork enclosed settlement within East Lothian.d.   The monument is a particularly good example of an enclosed settlement 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. It can tell us about the character, development and use of settlements, and the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy in eastern Scotland and further afield. f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the historic landscape by its association with a wider cluster of later prehistoric sites. It also contributes to our understanding of how topography was exploited when siting and constructing settlements. 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 an enclosed settlement of prehistoric date that survives as earthworks and buried archaeological deposits. The surviving earthworks are substantial, and the plan of the monument is clear and understandable. Several small coal pits of probable post medieval date have been dug into the interior of the monument and around 35m of the ditch and bank has been removed by quarrying on the west. Although the monument has been affected by this coal mining and quarrying, it is limited in nature and has not had a substantial impact upon the monument, which remains very readable.

Enclosed settlements are common across Scotland and come in a variety of forms. Some are very large, sometimes enclosed by multiple ditches, and may have held many timber roundhouses, housing a large population. Others are much smaller and were only large enough to accommodate a single round house and yard. The majority of these would have been agricultural settlements. The internal dimensions of the monument measure about 98m by 71m, which is large enough to accommodate an extended family or small community. Excavations of similar monuments elsewhere indicate that such settlements were built and used between around 800 BC and AD 400. Some sites show extended development sequences.

There is, therefore, 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. It has the potential to provide information about the economy, diet and social status of the occupants, as well as the structure of contemporary society and economy. Study of the monument's form and construction techniques compared with other settlements would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site and of Iron Age enclosed settlements in general.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)Enclosed settlements are found throughout Scotland, both as earthwork monuments and cropmarked sites. However, within eastern Scotland, the majority have been recorded as cropmarks. As an upstanding earthwork, the monument is therefore a rare survival within this region. The monument is located in a prominent position, occupying the southwest corner of a terrace, on a northwest facing slope. The bank and ditch are most prominent around the northeast. The terrace is largely flat in this direction, so this is the most level direction from which to approach the site. At the edge of the terrace on the southwest the defences extend around the hillslope, using the topography to enhance the height of the bank when viewed from below. The site therefore takes advantage of its terrain and has been built in relation to its topographical location.The site is part of a local cluster of broadly contemporary settlements and forts, including Kiloran settlement (SM3734, NRHE ID 54757), West Pencaitland fort and settlement (SM7546, NRHE IDs 54732 and 54729) and Templehall, enclosures 500m NNW of (SM5744, NRHE IDs 150625 and 150626). 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.

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 monument's national importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland https://www.trove.scot/ reference number NRHE ID 378755 (accessed on 07/10/2025).

Local Authority HER Reference MEL13110 (accessed on 07/10/2025).

Haselgrove C (2009) The Traprain Law Environs Project; Fieldwork and Excavations 2000-2004. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Lelong, O and McGregor, (2007) The Lands of Ancient Lothian, Interpreting the Archaeology of the A1. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/378755/

HER/SMR Reference

https://www.johngraycentre.org/collections/getrecord/ELHER_MEL13110/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland