Condition

2
Settlement Mound
Norse
MWE140001
Na h-Eileanan Siar

Description

A multi-period coastal settlement, dating from the Norse period to the 19th century. The extent of the settlement is unclear, but 1m of stratified deposits are visible in the eroding coast edge. Three separate occupation phases were visible when visited in 1998. A stone wall standing to three courses and a floor surface 1.5m below the wall sitting on a peat layer were noted in 2007, along with layers of charcoal and ash with fragments of burnt bone and pottery, spread over a length of 10m to the northeast of the wall. Finds recovered from the site include pottery of Norse date and whetstones. Update 19 September 2014 3 layers of stratigraphy and tumbled stones visible. Pottery found at base of east facing section. Circular stone structure visible on beach 2 metres in front of vertical face. South facing section contains a layer of stone in a peat layer. Boulders tumbled on beach in front of the section form a circle. Large stones visible at the top of the eroding face of the south facing section. Small layer of midden in sand face.

Location

143965.00
934792.00
27700
58.2272034
-6.3626475

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
13/06/15: Stone in south facing section 13/06/2015 13/06/15: Stone in south facing section jann
13/06/15: Stone in south facing section
13/06/15: Tumbling stone from East facing bank 13/06/2015 13/06/15: Tumbling stone from East facing bank jann
13/06/15: Tumbling stone from East facing bank
13/06/15: Stone setting 13/06/2015 13/06/15: Stone setting jann
13/06/15: Stone setting
13/06/2015: General view of NE facing section 13/06/2015 13/06/2015: General view of NE facing section jann
13/06/2015: General view of NE facing section
Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section with tumbled stone on beach 19/09/2014 Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section with tumbled stone on beach training1
Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section with tumbled stone on beach
Laxdale settlement mound - circular structure on beach in front of E-facing section 19/09/2014 Laxdale settlement mound - circular structure on beach in front of E-facing section training1
Laxdale settlement mound - circular structure on beach in front of E-facing section
Laxdale settlement mound - south facing section 19/09/2014 Laxdale settlement mound - south facing section training1
Laxdale settlement mound - south facing section
Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section 19/09/2014 Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section training1
Laxdale settlement mound - east facing section
Laxdale settlement mound - general view 19/09/2014 Laxdale settlement mound - general view training1
Laxdale settlement mound - general view

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1779 19/09/2014 training1
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats animal burrows
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description A multi-period coastal settlement, dating from the Norse period to the 19th century. The extent of the settlement is unclear, but 1m of stratified deposits are visible in the eroding coast edge. Three separate occupation phases were visible when visited in 1998. A stone wall standing to three courses and a floor surface 1.5m below the wall sitting on a peat layer were noted in 2007, along with layers of charcoal and ash with fragments of burnt bone and pottery, spread over a length of 10m to the northeast of the wall. Finds recovered from the site include pottery of Norse date and whetstones. Update 19 September 2014 3 layers of stratigraphy and tumbled stones visible. Pottery found at base of east facing section. Circular stone structure visible on beach 2 metres in front of vertical face. South facing section contains a layer of stone in a peat layer. Boulders tumbled on beach in front of the section form a circle. Large stones visible at the top of the eroding face of the south facing section. Small layer of midden in sand face.
Keep monitoring site. Increase local awareness. Worth investigating further
Comments local person regularly visiting site who will contact us if any further erosion noted

Pin It on Pinterest