Condition

2
Shell midden
Highland

Description

Shell midden visible c.1m below top of eroding c.6m high dune face. Very concentrated shell including (in descending frequency) dominant winkle, whelk, mussel, limpet, along with frequent fish bone (from small to haddock-sized) and rare animal bone, contained within a mid-grey organic sand matrix which also contains charcoal flecks and possibly peat ash. Single fragment of baked clay and Fe metalwork noted. Rare small flat stones 0.1m diameter also visible. Midden is c.0.6m thick, with 2 distinct layers, and is visible for a length of at least 15m. Associated with an old ground surface. Layers of shell midden are visible further down the eroding face, possibly slumping from above. Sits on the edge of a slight mound on the dune behind the coast edge, otherwise no obvious surface expression in the hinterland.

Location

298832.00
911657.00
27700
58.0823631
-3.7172318

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Lump of daub-like material in foreground, looking NE 02/10/2016 Lump of daub-like material in foreground, looking NE joannahambly
Lump of daub-like material in foreground, looking NE
Closer view of layers of shell midden 02/10/2016 Closer view of layers of shell midden joannahambly
Closer view of layers of shell midden
General view showing shell miden at top of mound, looking N 02/10/2016 General view showing shell miden at top of mound, looking N joannahambly
General view showing shell miden at top of mound, looking N
Detail 02/10/2016 Detail joannahambly
Detail
Showing location of site in relation to sea, looking W 02/10/2016 Showing location of site in relation to sea, looking W joannahambly
Showing location of site in relation to sea, looking W

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
2761 02/10/2016 EllieSCHARP
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; active wind erosion (in dunes only)
Threats animal burrows
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description Midden comprised of highly concentrated winkle, whelk, limpet and mussell shell in a mid-grey organic sand matrix with charcoal flecks. Frequent fish bone, haddock sized and smaller. Animal bone rare, crab/lobster rare. 1 piece of daub-like baked clay noted. 1 diamond-shaped fe object recovered from section - but may be intrusive. Rare peices of small flat stone approx. 10cm in diametre. There appears to be two distinct layers of shell midden located approx.1m below the top of the dune. Furtehr layers of midden lower down the section may be slumped material or the same layers sloping down the natural slope of the dune. The midden occupies a slight rise but there are no sign of any related surface features in the hinterland. A very similar eroding shell midden [Site 13435] is located approx. 200m to the east.
Priority 2. Targeted cleaning and recording of the section. Sampling to ascertain date.
Comments Possibly medieval or early modern.

Pin It on Pinterest