Bowmont Water
Rig And Furrow (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)
Site Name Bowmont Water
Classification Rig And Furrow (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)
Canmore ID 280408
Site Number NT82SW 150
NGR NT 81674 22945
NGR Description From NT 8172 2327 to NT 8159 2261
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/280408
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Morebattle
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Roxburgh
- Former County Roxburghshire
NT82SW 150 from 8172 2327 to 8159 2261
Occupying the generally moderate WSW-facing slopes at the base of Percy Law and spreading over the river terrace above the Bowmont Water, there is an extensive area of cross-contour rig which measures 290m from NE to SW by 390m. Initially identified as 'cultivations' by O G S Crawford, subsequent visits by the OS Field investigators in 1960 and 1968 noted that although cultivation was present neither cultivation terraces nor lynchets were to be seen in the area.
The rig is bounded on the W by the edge of the terrace above the Bowmont Water. On the N the limit of the cultivation is generally marked by a small unnamed burn which separates the cross-contour rig from an area of contour cultivation (NT82SW 25), along the steep lower slopes of Percy Law. A fragment of contour cultivation (NT82SW 25.01), occupying a steep slope between the burn and the N extent of the cross-contour rig may represent the residual traces of the southward continuation of this system which has elsewhere been obliterated by the rig. On the NE and E, the rig extends uphill towards the crest of a spur on the S side of Percy Law, the reverse slope of which is covered by cross-contour rig, pursuing a NNW to SSE orientation (NT82SW 139 ands NT82SW 142). On the S, a small area of cross-contour cultivation (NT82SW 151) lies between, and even overlies the southernmost extent of, the rig and the Atton Burn. A track, which forms the S edge of the rig in the SW corner, gradually climbs through the rig, passing above the small area of later cultivation (NT82SW 151).
The rig follows a NE to SW orientation and displays a slight reverse S-shape. In the centre of the area the rig curves reflecting local topography. Towards the NE corner there is a definite break in the rig caused by a slight ridge whilst the possible survival of contour cultivation at the N end (NT82SW 25.01) reflects a steepening of the topography.
Where observed, the rigs average 4.5m in width between furrows up to 0.5m in width and 0.2m in depth.
Information from RJ Mercer (University of Edinburgh) 24 March 1987
RCAHMS MS 2598. No. 11/095
