Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882

Last updated

Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882
Act of Parliament
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (variant 1, 1952-2022).svg
Long title An Act for the better protection of Ancient Monuments.
Citation 45 & 46 Vict. c. 73
Introduced by John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury
Dates
Royal assent 18 August 1882
Other legislation
Repealed by Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act 1913
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. 73) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (as it then was). It was introduced by John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury, recognising the need for a governmental administration on the protection of ancient monuments, and was finally passed after a number of failed attempts on heritage protection acts. The gradual change towards a state-based authority responsible for the safeguarding of the Kingdom's national heritage manifested itself through the appointment of the first Inspector of Ancient Monuments in 1882, General Pitt Rivers. [1]

Contents

Development of the legislation

According to Halfin, "Lubbock's Bill came at a time when England was among the last of the European nations to be completely without protective legislation for cultural property. Many of his ideas were borrowed from a long history of royal and aristocratic interest in preservation that was prevalent in Europe during the nineteenth century. In particular, Lubbock was strongly influenced by the Abbé Gregoire, who had so successfully championed the cause of cultural preservation in France." [2]

The first introduction of the bill in 1873 was controversial because it envisioned the government being able to compulsorily purchase monuments on privately owned land if the owner decided to develop the land. By the Act's passage in 1882, these provisions had been removed from the bill. [2]

The schedule

The 1882 Act contains a schedule of the initial 68 sites that were covered by the legislation. These are almost all pre-historic monuments, some of the most famous such sites in the country among them, alongside some that were felt to be at particular risk at the time.

England and Wales

There were 26 English sites listed in the schedule, in just 10 counties, including seven sites in Wiltshire. Welsh monuments were represented by one site in each of north, south and west Wales. [3]

Site name1882 descriptionSite typePeriodLocation
Plas Newydd Burial ChambersThe tumulus and dolmen, Plas Newydd, Llandedwen, Anglesea. Chambered tomb Neolithic 53°12′14″N4°13′04″W / 53.2038°N 4.2179°W / 53.2038; -4.2179 (Plas Newydd Burial Chambers)
Wayland's Smithy The tumulus known as Wayland Smith's Forge, Ashbury, Berkshire. Long barrow Neolithic 51°34′02″N1°35′43″W / 51.5672°N 1.5953°W / 51.5672; -1.5953 (Wayland's Smithy)
Uffington Castle Uffington Castle, Uffington, Berkshire. Hillfort Iron Age 51°34′29″N1°34′12″W / 51.5748°N 1.5699°W / 51.5748; -1.5699 (Uffington Castle)
Long Meg and Her Daughters The stone circle known as Long Meg and her Daughters, near Penrith, Addingham, Cumberland. Stone circle Bronze Age 54°43′40″N2°40′03″W / 54.7279°N 2.6676°W / 54.7279; -2.6676 (Long Meg and Her Daughters)
Castlerigg stone circle The stone circle on Castle Rigg, near Keswick, Crosthwaite, Cumberland. Stone circle Late Neolithic 54°36′09″N3°05′51″W / 54.6026°N 3.0975°W / 54.6026; -3.0975 (Castlerigg stone circle)
Low Longrigg stone circles The stone circles on Burn Moor, St. Bees, Cumberland.Five stone circles Bronze Age 54°24′40″N3°16′33″W / 54.4112°N 3.2757°W / 54.4112; -3.2757 (Low Longrigg stone circles, Boot)
Nine Ladies The stone circle known as The Nine Ladies, Stanton Moor, Bakewell, Derbyshire. Stone circle Bronze Age 53°10′05″N1°37′44″W / 53.1681°N 1.6289°W / 53.1681; -1.6289 (Nine Ladies)
Arbor Low The tumulus known as Arborlow, Bakewell, Derbyshire. Henge Neolithic 53°10′08″N1°45′42″W / 53.1689°N 1.7617°W / 53.1689; -1.7617 (Arbor Low)
Hob Hurst's House Hob Hurst's House and Hut, Baslow Moor. Bakewell, Derbyshire. Round barrow Bronze Age 53°13′12″N1°34′12″W / 53.2199°N 1.5701°W / 53.2199; -1.5701 (Hob Hurst's House)
Minninglow Minning Low, Brassington, Derbyshire. Round barrow Neolithic 53°06′45″N1°41′20″W / 53.11245°N 1.6888°W / 53.11245; -1.6888 (Minninglow)
Arthur's Stone Arthur's Quoit, Gower, Llanridian, Glamorganshire. Chambered tomb Neolithic 51°35′37″N4°10′46″W / 51.5936°N 4.1794°W / 51.5936; -4.1794 (Arthur's Stone)
Uley Long Barrow The tumulus at Uley, Gloucestershire. Long barrow Neolithic 51°41′55″N2°18′21″W / 51.6986°N 2.3058°W / 51.6986; -2.3058 (Uley Long Barrow)
Kit's Coty House Kits Coty House, Aylesford, Kent. Long barrow Neolithic 51°19′12″N0°30′10″E / 51.3199°N 0.5029°E / 51.3199; 0.5029 (Kit's Coty House)
Hunsbury Hill Danes Camp, Hardingstone, Northamptonshire. Hillfort Iron Age 52°13′08″N0°55′13″W / 52.2189°N 0.9202°W / 52.2189; -0.9202 (Hunsbury Hill)
Castle Dykes EnclosureCastle Dykes, Farthingston, Northamptonshire. Hillfort enclosure Iron Age to Roman 52°12′07″N1°05′53″W / 52.2019°N 1.0980°W / 52.2019; -1.0980 (Castle Dykes Enclosure)
Rollright Stones The Rollrich Stones, Little Rollright, Oxfordshire. Megaliths Neolithic and Bronze Age 51°58′32″N1°34′15″W / 51.9755°N 1.5708°W / 51.9755; -1.5708 (Rollright Stones)
Pentre Ifan The Pentre Evan Cromlech, Nevern, Pembrokeshire. Chambered tomb Neolithic 51°59′56″N4°46′12″W / 51.9990°N 4.7700°W / 51.9990; -4.7700 (Pentre Ifan)
Stanton Drew stone circles The ancient stones at Stanton Drew, Somersetshire.Two stone circles Neolithic 51°22′04″N2°34′31″W / 51.3678°N 2.5753°W / 51.3678; -2.5753 (Stanton Drew stone circles)
Stoney Littleton Long Barrow The chambered tumulus at Stoney Littleton, Wellow, Somersetshire. Chambered tomb Neolithic 51°18′48″N2°22′53″W / 51.3133°N 2.3813°W / 51.3133; -2.3813 (Stoney Littleton Long Barrow)
Cadbury Castle Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury, Somersetshire. Hillfort Iron Age 51°01′27″N2°31′54″W / 51.0241°N 2.5318°W / 51.0241; -2.5318 (Cadbury Castle, Somerset)
Mayburgh Henge Mayborough, near Penrith, Barton, Westmoreland. Henge Neolithic or Bronze Age 54°38′56″N2°44′47″W / 54.6489°N 2.7465°W / 54.6489; -2.7465 (Mayburgh Henge)
King Arthur's Round Table (henge) Arthur's Round Table, Penrith, Barton, Westmoreland. Henge Neolithic 54°38′54″N2°44′25″W / 54.6483°N 2.7403°W / 54.6483; -2.7403 (King Arthur's Round Table (henge))
Stonehenge The group of stones known as Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire. Henge Bronze Age 51°10′44″N1°49′34″W / 51.1788°N 1.8262°W / 51.1788; -1.8262 (Stonehenge)
Old Sarum Old Sarum, Wiltshire. Hillfort Iron Age 51°05′33″N1°48′21″W / 51.0925°N 1.8057°W / 51.0925; -1.8057 (Old Sarum)
Avebury The vallum at Abury, the Sarcen stones within the same, those along the Kennet Road, and the group between Abury and Beckhampton, Abury, Wiltshire. Henge Neolithic 51°25′43″N1°51′15″W / 51.4286°N 1.8542°W / 51.4286; -1.8542 (Avebury)
West Kennet Long Barrow The long barrow at West Kennet, near Marlborough, West Kennet, Wiltshire. Long barrow Neolithic 51°24′31″N1°51′04″W / 51.4086°N 1.8511°W / 51.4086; -1.8511 (West Kennet Long Barrow)
Silbury Hill Silbury Hill, Abury, Wiltshire.Mound Neolithic 51°24′56″N1°51′27″W / 51.4156°N 1.8575°W / 51.4156; -1.8575 (Silbury Hill)
The Devil's Den The Dolmen (Devil's Den), near Marlborough, Fyfield, Wiltshire. Chambered tomb Neolithic 51°25′33″N1°46′57″W / 51.4257°N 1.7826°W / 51.4257; -1.7826 (The Devil's Den)
Barbury Castle Barbury Castle, Ogboume, St. Andrews, and Swindon, Wiltshire. Hillfort Iron Age 51°29′07″N1°47′11″W / 51.4853°N 1.7865°W / 51.4853; -1.7865 (Barbury Castle)

Scotland

The 1882 schedule included 21 monuments, the majority of which are prehistoric sites. [3] Two are Neolithic, five Bronze Age, eight Iron Age and six from early Christian/Pictish periods, although two of the prehistoric stones also have notable early Christian additions. [4] Those sites now in the care of Historic Scotland are indicated with '(HS)'.

Site name1882 descriptionSite typePeriodLocation
Inverurie Cemetery, four symbol stonesThe Bass of Inverury, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.Four Pictish Stones 9th century 57°16′32″N2°21′59″W / 57.2755°N 2.3665°W / 57.2755; -2.3665 (Inverurie Cemetery)
Tap o' Noth, Rhynie The vitrified fort on the Hill of Noath, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire. Hillfort Iron Age 57°21′06″N2°51′27″W / 57.3517°N 2.8575°W / 57.3517; -2.8575 (Tap o' Noth)
Newton House, inscribed stone and symbol stoneThe pillar and stone at Newton-in-the-Garioch, Culsalmond, Aberdeenshire. Pictish stones 9th century 57°21′23″N2°33′48″W / 57.3565°N 2.5634°W / 57.3565; -2.5634 (Newton House)
Edin's Hall Broch The circular walled structures called "Edin’s Hall," on Cockburn Law, Dunse, Berwickshire. Broch (HS) Iron Age 55°50′07″N2°21′56″W / 55.8354°N 2.3656°W / 55.8354; -2.3656 (Edin's Hall Broch)
Palisaded Huts Nr Lauder BarnsThe British walled settlement enclosing huts at Harefaulds in Lauderdale, Lauder, Berwickshire.settlement Iron Age 55°42′26″N2°43′32″W / 55.7071°N 2.7256°W / 55.7071; -2.7256 (Palisaded Huts Nr Lauder Barns)
Dun Dornaigil The Dun of Dornadilla, Durness, Sutherlandshire. Broch (HS) Iron Age 58°22′00″N4°38′19″W / 58.3667°N 4.6386°W / 58.3667; -4.6386 (Dun Dornaigil)
Sueno's Stone The sculptured stone called Suenos Stone, near Forres, Rafford, Elgin. Standing stone 9th century 57°36′57″N3°35′52″W / 57.6157°N 3.5977°W / 57.6157; -3.5977 (Sueno's Stone)
Drosten Stone The cross slab, with inscription, in the churchyard of St. Vigeans, St. Vigeans, Forfarshire. Pictish stone 9th century 56°34′37″N2°35′25″W / 56.577°N 2.5904°W / 56.577; -2.5904 (St Vigeans)
Caterthun The British forts, on the hills, called "The Black and White Catherthuns," Menmuir, Forfarshire. Hillforts (HS) Iron Age 56°47′03″N2°44′27″W / 56.7842°N 2.7408°W / 56.7842; -2.7408 (Caterthun)
Clava cairns A group of remains and pillars, on a haugh at Clava on the banks of the Nairn, Croy and Dalcross, Inverness. Chamber tomb (HS) Bronze Age 57°28′25″N4°04′27″W / 57.4737°N 4.0743°W / 57.4737; -4.0743 (Clava cairns)
Dun Telve and Dun Troddan The Pictish Towers at Glenelg, Inverness. Brochs (HS) Iron Age 57°11′41″N5°35′41″W / 57.1946°N 5.5946°W / 57.1946; -5.5946 (Dun Telve and Dun Troddan)
Drumwhirn Cairn and Boreland cairn?The Cairns, with chambers and galleries partially dilapidated, Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire. Chamber tombs Bronze Age 54°59′24″N4°29′40″W / 54.9899°N 4.4945°W / 54.9899; -4.4945 (Drumwhirn Cairn)
Cat Stane The Catstane, an inscribed pillar, Kirkliston, Linlithgow. Inscribed stone Bronze Age & 5th century 55°57′17″N3°21′52″W / 55.9548°N 3.3645°W / 55.9548; -3.3645 (Cat Stane)
Ring of Brodgar The Ring of Brogar and other stone pillars at Stennis in Orkney, and the neighbouring pillars, Firth and Stennis, Orkney. Henge (HS) Neolithic 59°00′07″N3°13′43″W / 59.002°N 3.2287°W / 59.002; -3.2287 (Ring of Brodgar)
Maeshowe The Chambered mound of Maeshowe, Firth and Stennis, Orkney. Chambered cairn (HS) Neolithic 58°59′48″N3°11′18″W / 58.9966°N 3.1882°W / 58.9966; -3.1882 (Maeshowe)
Callanish Stones The stones of Callernish, Uig, Ross. Stone circles Bronze Age & 5th century 58°11′49″N6°44′42″W / 58.197°N 6.745°W / 58.197; -6.745 (Callanish Stones)
Broch of Clickimin The Burgh of Clickanim, Sound, Shetland. Broch (HS) Iron Age 60°08′57″N1°09′57″W / 60.1492°N 1.1657°W / 60.1492; -1.1657 (Broch of Clickimin)
Broch of Mousa The Pictish tower at Mousa in Shetland, Dunrossness, Shetland. Broch (HS) Iron Age 59°59′44″N1°10′57″W / 59.9956°N 1.1826°W / 59.9956; -1.1826 (Broch of Mousa)
(now in Whithorn Priory Museum?)The inscribed slab standing on the roadside leading from Wigton to Whithorn and about a mile from Whithorn, Whithorn, Wigtonshire. Inscribed stone Early Christian
Laggangairn Standing Stones Two stones, with incised crosses, on a mound in a field at Laggangairn, New Luce, Wigtonshire. Standing stones (HS) Bronze Age & early Christian 55°00′26″N4°46′54″W / 55.0071°N 4.7818°W / 55.0071; -4.7818 (Laggangairn Standing Stones)
Kirkmadrine Early Christian Stones The pillars at Kirkmadrine, Stoneykirk, Wigtonshire. Inscribed stones (HS)6th century 54°47′37″N4°59′17″W / 54.7936°N 4.9881°W / 54.7936; -4.9881 (Kirkmadrine Early Christian Stones)

Ireland

In 1882 the whole of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. Subsequent legislation for Ireland used the terminology of historic monuments, which continues in Northern Ireland. Three sites in the schedule are in what became Northern Ireland, one being in County Armagh and two in County Down. [5] The fifteen sites now in the Republic of Ireland are protected by the National Monuments Service [6] and include two world heritage sites. As with England and Wales, the 1882 selection was overwhelmingly those thought to be prehistoric sites, although there is now uncertainty over the age of many sites.

Site name1882 descriptionSite typePeriodLocation
Navan Fort The earthen enclosure and mounds called the Navan Fort, Eglish, Armagh.Ceremonial site Iron Age, Celtic 54°20′43″N6°43′07″W / 54.3453°N 6.7186°W / 54.3453; -6.7186 (Navan Fort)
Glencolumbkille CashelStone monuments and groups of sepulchral cists in Glen Maulin, Glencolumbkille, Banagh, Donegal. 51°33′53″N9°05′14″W / 51.5646°N 9.0871°W / 51.5646; -9.0871 (Glencolumbkille Cashel)
Grianan of Aileach The earthen and stone inclosure known as Grimm of Aileach, Burt, West Innishowen, Donegal. 55°01′00″N7°26′00″W / 55.0167°N 7.4333°W / 55.0167; -7.4333 (Grianan of Aileach)
Giant's Ring The earthen inclosure and Cromlech called the Giant's Ring near Ballylessan, Drumbo, Upper Castlereagh, Down. 54°32′25″N5°57′00″W / 54.5403°N 5.95°W / 54.5403; -5.95 (Giant's Ring)
Downpatrick Mound of Down?The earthen fort at Downpatrick (Dunkeltair), Leoale, Down. 54°19′56″N5°43′16″W / 54.3323°N 5.7212°W / 54.3323; -5.7212 (Downpatrick Fort)
Staigue stone fort Stone structure called Staigue Fort, Kilcrogham, Dunkerron, Kerry. Ringfort Iron Age 51°48′19″N10°00′57″W / 51.8053°N 10.0158°W / 51.8053; -10.0158 (Staigue stone fort)
Greenmount Motte The earthen mound at Greenmount, Kilsaren, Ardee, Kerry. Motte over a Souterrain Anglo-Norman and older 53°52′41″N6°23′08″W / 53.8781°N 6.3856°W / 53.8781; -6.3856 (Greenmount Motte)
Ballina megalithic tomb (Dolmen of the Four Maols)The stone monument at Ballyna, Kilmoremoy, Tyrawly, Mayo. Chamber tomb Bronze Age 54°06′26″N9°09′58″W / 54.1071°N 9.166°W / 54.1071; -9.166 (Ballina megalithic tomb)
Glebe Stone Circles Cairns and stone circles at Moytura, Cong, Kilmaine, Mayo. Stone Circles 53°32′52″N9°15′54″W / 53.5477°N 9.2649°W / 53.5477; -9.2649 (Glebe Stone Circles)
Brú na Bóinne (Bend of the Boyne) World heritage siteThe tumuli, New Grange, Knowth and Dowth, Monknewton and Dowth, Upper Slane, Meath. Megalithic complex Neolithic 53°41′34″N6°26′57″W / 53.6928°N 6.4493°W / 53.6928; -6.4493 (Brú na Bóinne)
Hill of Tara The earthworks on the hill of Tara, Skreen, Meath.multi-period 53°34′39″N6°36′43″W / 53.5775°N 6.6119°W / 53.5775; -6.6119 (Hill of Tara)
Telltown The earthworks at Teltown (Taltin), Upper Kells, Meath. Bronze Age 53°42′01″N6°45′59″W / 53.7003°N 6.7665°W / 53.7003; -6.7665 (Telltown)
Hill of Ward The earthworks at Wardstown (Tlaghta), Athboy, Lune, Meath. Ringfort Iron Age 53°37′26″N6°53′10″W / 53.624°N 6.886°W / 53.624; -6.886 (The Hill of Ward)
Slieve na Calliagh The two central tumuli on the hills called Slieve Na Calliagh, Loughcrew, Fore, Meath. Megalithic complex Neolithic 53°44′40″N7°06′42″W / 53.7445°N 7.1117°W / 53.7445; -7.1117 (Slieve na Calliagh)
Heapstown Cairn The Cairn at Heapstown, Kilmacallan, Tirerrill, Sligo. Passage tomb 54°05′42″N8°20′54″W / 54.0951°N 8.3483°W / 54.0951; -8.3483 (Heapstown Cairn)
Knocknarea passage tombs & Medb's CairnSepulchral remains at Carrowmore. The cairn called Miscaun Mave or Knocknarea, Kilmacowen, Curbury, Sligo. Passage tomb Neolithic 54°15′32″N8°34′29″W / 54.2589°N 8.5746°W / 54.2589; -8.5746 (Knocknarea passage tombs)
Drumlohan Souterrain & Ogham Stones The cave containing Ogham inscribed stones at Drumloghan, Stradbally, Decies-without-Drum, Waterford. 52°09′48″N7°27′55″W / 52.163319°N 7.465368°W / 52.163319; -7.465368 (Drumlohan Souterrain & Ogham Stones)
Hill of Uisneach (Royal sites of Ireland)The stone monument called the Catstone and the cemetery on the hill of Usnagh, Killare, Rathconrath, Westmeath.Royal innauguartion site 53°29′24″N7°33′43″W / 53.49°N 7.562°W / 53.49; -7.562 (Hill of Uisneach)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scheduled monument</span> Legally protected archaeological site or historic building in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)</span> World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto encompasses 17 locations in Japan within the city of Kyoto and its immediate vicinity. In 794, the Japanese imperial family moved the capital to Heian-kyō. The locations are in three cities: Kyoto and Uji in Kyoto Prefecture; and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture; Uji and Ōtsu border Kyoto to the south and north, respectively. Of the monuments, 13 are Buddhist temples, three are Shinto shrines, and one is a castle. The properties include 38 buildings designated by the Japanese government as National Treasures, 160 properties designated as Important Cultural Properties, eight gardens designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty, and four designated as Places of Scenic Beauty. UNESCO listed the site as World Heritage in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site

Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (北海道・北東北の縄文遺跡群) is a serial UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of 17 Jōmon-period archaeological sites in Hokkaidō and northern Tōhoku, Japan. The Jōmon period lasted more than 10,000 years, representing "sedentary pre-agricultural lifeways and a complex spiritual culture of prehistoric people".

There are thirteen scheduled monuments in Birmingham, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scheduled monuments in West Somerset</span>

West Somerset was a local government district in the English county of Somerset. It merged with Taunton Deane to form Somerset West and Taunton on 1 April 2019. The council covered a largely rural area, with a population of 35,075 in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi). According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics in 2009, the population of West Somerset had the oldest average age in the United Kingdom at 52. The largest centres of population were the coastal towns of Minehead and Watchet (4,400).

References

  1. Tylor, Edward Burnett (1901). "Pitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane Fox"  . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography (1st supplement). London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. 1 2 Halfin, Simon (1995). "The Legal Protection of Cultural Property in Britain: Past, Present and Future and Future" (PDF). DePaul Journal of Art, Technology & Intellectual Property Law. 6 (1).
  3. 1 2 Hunter, Robert (1907). "Appendix A"  . The Preservation of Places of Interest or Beauty. Manchester University Press via Wikisource. (includes the full text of the 1882 Act).
  4. Historic Scotland: A List of Scheduled Monuments 13-04-10, and a List of Properties in Care, accessed 3 July 2014
  5. Northern Ireland Environment Agency, The Schedule of Historic Monuments. 31 March 2010 Archived 3 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  6. National Monuments database at archeology.ie