Condition

6
Anthropogenic deposits
9581
Orkney

Description

Anthropogenic deposits are exposed over 8m in the coastal section. At the base of the section, a quantity of slabs forming a flat surface, which is covered by an accumulation of soil containing frequent shell and bone fragments. The second and third levels of stone are separated by stony brash which contains small fragments of burnt bone. This exposure is located to the immediate SW side of the Hillock of Fea (B23) and may be associated with it. Similar deposits were noted by RCAHMS in 1929 and OS in 1973, although in both cases the deposits were described as part of the adjacent cairn (B23: ND 49 NE 7). The 1929 record notes the presence of kitchen-midden in a location where human remains had been found previously (OS 6'' map, 1900, Name Book 1879). The 1973 record noted drystone walling, shell and bone deposits in the erosion face to the SW of the cairn. Since no direct relationship could be established between the eroding deposits and the cairn during this survey, they have been described separately. 03/05/2013 - Only one or two small fragments of bone and shells seen, not midden deposits as such.
Circa 30cm layer of soil overlying raised/storm beach. Occasional shell fragment, but nothing significant.

Location

349220.00
995570.00
27700
58.8445587
-2.8816185

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
View of hillock from intertidal zone 03/05/2013 View of hillock from intertidal zone mgts24
View of hillock from intertidal zone
Looking east down coast 03/05/2013 Looking east down coast mgts24
Looking east down coast
Close up of deposits 03/05/2013 Close up of deposits mgts24
Close up of deposits

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
4419 28/03/2023 joannahambly
Tidal state Mid
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Description Circa 30cm layer of soil overlying raised/storm beach. Occasional shell fragment, but nothing significant. Remove from priorities.
Remove from priorities.
951 03/05/2013 mgts24
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Threats vegetation growth; animal burrows
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge don't know
Description Anthropogenic deposits are exposed over 8m in the coastal section. At the base of the section, a quantity of slabs forming a flat surface, which is covered by an accumulation of soil containing frequent shell and bone fragments. The second and third levels of stone are separated by stony brash which contains small fragments of burnt bone. This exposure is located to the immediate SW side of the Hillock of Fea (B23) and may be associated with it. Similar deposits were noted by RCAHMS in 1929 and OS in 1973, although in both cases the deposits were described as part of the adjacent cairn (B23: ND 49 NE 7). The 1929 record notes the presence of kitchen-midden in a location where human remains had been found previously (OS 6'' map, 1900, Name Book 1879). The 1973 record noted drystone walling, shell and bone deposits in the erosion face to the SW of the cairn. Since no direct relationship could be established between the eroding deposits and the cairn during this survey, they have been described separately.
This is already much disturbed stonework, probably due to erosion, root penetration and soil inflow. Probably not worth protecting unless the adjacent cairn (id 5907) is excavated and determined worth preserving. There does not appear to be any obvious separation between these two sites. They are more or less continuous.
Comments Only one or two small fragments of bone and shells seen, not midden deposits as such.

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