Scheduled MonumentsScotlandOld Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of
Linear earthwork

Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of

Scotland
HES SM4018
Site type
Linear earthwork
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Old Melrose is a linear earthwork situated approximately 300 metres west of Old Melrose in Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders. The monument consists of a defensive bank and ditch alignment that survives as an earthen ridge in the landscape, characteristic of prehistoric or early medieval boundary systems in the region. Its precise dating remains uncertain, though such linear earthworks in the Scottish Borders are typically assigned to the Iron Age or early medieval period, when they often functioned as territorial markers, cattle enclosures, or defensive boundaries. The earthwork represents an important element of the archaeological landscape surrounding the early monastic settlement at Old Melrose, one of the significant religious centres established in the post-Roman period in south-east Scotland.

Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4018. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of?

Old Melrose is a linear earthwork situated approximately 300 metres west of Old Melrose in Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4018.

Who is responsible for protecting Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of?

Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of 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 SM4018.

What other scheduled monuments are near Old Melrose,linear earthwork 300m W of?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Old Melrose, St Cuthbert's Chapel & monastery site (0.4 km), Newstead Roman military complex, 660m WSW of Broomhill Farm (2 km), Dryburgh Abbey (2.6 km).

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