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