© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Preston Mains is a cursus and settlement located in East Lothian, Scotland, three hundred metres south-south-west of Preston Mains itself. The monument comprises two distinct archaeological phases spanning the Neolithic and later periods. The cursus is a characteristic ritual or ceremonial monument type of the Neolithic, consisting of parallel banks and ditches forming a linear earthwork defining a processional way. The settlement evidence indicates occupation and domestic activity at this location across multiple phases of prehistory.
The site lies upon Unnamed Extrusive Rocks of Dinantian age, composed of mafic lavas and mafic tuffs deposited during the Mississippian period. This volcanic bedrock forms part of the distinctive geology of East Lothian, providing a stable foundation for both the prehistoric earthworks and the soils that developed above them. The underlying geology has shaped the landscape in which these early communities established themselves.
Preston Mains is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13314, recognising its significance as evidence of Neolithic ritual practice and subsequent settlement activity in the region. The monument contributes to understanding prehistoric land use and social organisation in south-east Scotland during the early post-glacial period.
Preston Mains, cursus and settlement 300m SSW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13314. View the official record →
Preston Mains is a cursus and settlement located in East Lothian, Scotland, three hundred metres south-south-west of Preston Mains itself. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13314.
Preston Mains, cursus and settlement 300m SSW 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 SM13314.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Nunraw Barns, palisaded enclosure 180m SSW of (7.9 km), Nunraw Barns, pit alignment SE of (7.9 km), Chesters Farm,enclosure 300m S of (8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Preston Mains, cursus and settlement 300m SSW of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Preston Mains, cursus and settlement 300m SSW of stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Dinantian, bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.