Scheduled Ancient Monument In the United Kingdom , a Scheduled Ancient Monument is a protected archaeological site or historic building considered to be of national importance . Scheduled Ancient Monuments are defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and ( in England ) the National Heritage Act 1983 of the government of the United Kingdom . In England the Department for Culture , Media and Sport keeps a register , or schedule , of nationally important sites which receive state protection . This process was first devolved to Scotland and Wales in the 1970s and is now operated by the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government . The three government bodies with responsibility for archaeology and the historic environment in Britain are : English Heritage in England , Cadw in Wales , Historic Scotland in Scotland . The Northern Irish system is governed by separate legislation , and is operated by the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland . A long list of criteria is used to decide whether an Ancient Monument should become a Scheduled Ancient Monument . Scheduling affords greater protection as it becomes illegal to in any way tamper with a designated area . The Scottish Criteria have recently been revised . To be eligible for scheduling , a monument must be demonstrably of national significance according to a number of specific criteria . These are ( in England and Wales ) : Period – meaning the length of time it remained in use , significant sites are often multi-period Rarity – monuments with few known comparators are more likely to be scheduled Documentation – information from earlier investigations at a site can inform on its significance Group value – where a monument forms part of a wider geographical landscape of important sites Survival/Condition – the degree to which the surviving remains convey the size , shape and function of the site Fragility/Vulnerability – threats to the site from natural agencies , tourism or development can lead to a monument being scheduled for its protection Representivity – how well the monument represents diverse similar types and/or whether it contains unique features Potential – its ability to contribute to our knowledge through further study There is no appeal against the scheduling process and adding a monument to the register is normally a process requiring a great deal of research and consideration . The process can be accelerated for sites under threat however . The heritage bodies gather information on a site , define a boundary around it and advise the Secretary of State ( or her devolved equivalent ) of its eligibility for inclusion on the schedule . Protection can be given by taking the monument into state ownership or placing under guardianship , the latter meaning that the owner retains possession with an undertaking to look after it . Field Monument Wardens monitor sites to ensure they are not being damaged . Wider areas can be protected by designating their locations as Areas of Archaeological Importance . As of 2004 only five city centres , all in England , have been designated AAIs ( Canterbury , Chester , Exeter , Hereford and York ) . This part of the 1979 Act was never brought into effect in Scotland . Damage to a Scheduled monument is a criminal offence and any works taking place within one require Scheduled Monument Consent from the Secretary of State or her devolved equivalent . Permission for non-essential development is rarely given and new building close to a scheduled monument which might damage its setting is also strongly discouraged . The Scheduling system is criticised by some as being cumbersome . Until recently it had a limited definition of what constitutes a monument and ritual landscapes , flint scatters or underwater sites were difficult to Schedule , although three maritime sites have been designated as scheduled ancient monuments . Sometimes Ancient Monuments are also Grade I or Grade II Listed buildings , or they are situated in a Conservation Area . Others are also World Heritage Sites . Example 1 : Wymondham Abbey in Norfolk is a Scheduled Ancient Monument , a Grade I Listed Building , and lies in Wymondham Conservation Area . Example 2 : Paston Great Barn , also in Norfolk , is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II Listed Building . Because of the presence of rare bats , it is also on a Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI ) and a candidate for Special Area of Conservation ( cSAC ) European Union protective status . See also List of Scheduled Ancient Monuments Conservation in the United Kingdom Protection of Wrecks Act for examples of maritime scheduled ancient monuments . External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to : Scheduled Ancient Monuments Database of Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Scotland , maintained by Historic Scotland . PASTMAP map-based query system for scheduled monuments , listed buildings , gardens and designed landscapes and National Monuments record of Scotland sites . Maintained by Historic Scotland and Royal Commissionon the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979 Policy and criteria for scheduling in Scotland Categories : Scheduled Ancient Monuments | British archaeology | Protected areas of the United Kingdom | Town and country planning in the United Kingdom Scheduled Ancient Monuments 