Scheduled MonumentsScotlandHeadshaw Law,cultivation terraces
Cultivation terraces

Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces

Scotland
HES SM2409
Site type
Cultivation terraces
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Headshaw Law is a hillside bearing evidence of ancient cultivation terraces located in Roxburghshire, Scotland. The terraces represent a form of agricultural land management practised in prehistoric and medieval periods, wherein sloping ground was modified into level or near-level platforms to facilitate crop cultivation and prevent soil erosion. The site demonstrates the long history of agricultural exploitation in the Scottish Borders region and the labour-intensive methods employed by successive communities to maximise arable land on marginal terrain. Such terraced systems are characteristic of upland farming strategies spanning several centuries, though precise dating of individual examples often remains difficult without excavation or documentary corroboration.

Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2409. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces?

Headshaw Law is a hillside bearing evidence of ancient cultivation terraces located in Roxburghshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2409.

Who is responsible for protecting Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces?

Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM2409.

What other scheduled monuments are near Headshaw Law,cultivation terraces?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Blackhall Hill,cairns (6.1 km), Dere Street,Roman road,Blackhall Hill to Black Halls (6.5 km), Loddan Hill North, palisaded settlement 800m NNE of summit (6.6 km).

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