Condition

2
Buried land surface; structure
9571
Orkney

Description

Anthropogenic deposits are visible in a 25m long coastal exposure which has been cut into the sand dunes by marine erosion. The uppermost deposit visible in section is a 0.4m layer of wind-blown sand. Beneath this, a portion of walling, up to 13 courses/1m high, runs parallel with the section face for 1.9m, before curving outwards towards its W end. The W end of the wall is formed from several orthostatic blocks - the remainder of the structure at this end has been lost to the sea. Further to the W, a deposit of loose stones may represent collapsed walling, this sits over an old ground surface and shell-rich deposits. The old ground surface is visible beneath the E end of the wall also - the terminus of this wall is obscured by slumped sand deposits. Several small fragments of iron were noted amongst the deposits in section, but these may be intrusive. No features or deposits of an archaeological nature were noted in the field adjacent to the shore, although the depth of blown sand is such that any remains are likely to be deeply buried. The deposits are tentatively interpreted as part of the interior wall face of a curvilinear structure. Local tradition holds that there is a burial ground in this area. It is recorded that in about 1960 part of a grave, containing two individuals and covered with a slab, was found eroding from the shoreline (ND 49 NE 11). Human bones have been seen in the erosion face on occasion, and several were noted by OS surveyors in 1973. A local man, Mr. Laird of Weddell, encountered traces of an indeterminate building whist digging in this area. The frequency with which deposits have been noted in this area suggests that there are substantial buried remains in the area. The deposits found during this survey, if as is suggested, form part of a structure, may be part of the same structure as that found by Mr. Laird. Since his discovery was made whist digging, presumably in the field which lies adjacent to the shore, the remains now visible may be only beginning to erode. The presence of human burials (not seen during this survey) in close proximity to a structure may indicate the site of a chapel and burial ground of early (pre-Reformation) date. Added by MGTS24. 10 January 2014: As now visible, this feature extends over 15 m or so (east west along the shore) and has two parts. At the west end is a 2.5 m long section of dry stone wall of 6 or 7 courses of small flat stones on two courses of large slabs under 0.3 m of turf, and is typical of dry stone walling in this area into the historic period. The base of this walling is at the high water mark and is being eroded at high tides. The walling appears to arc outwards towards the sea at the west end. The eastern component may be a separate feature, and is likely the main component previously reported here, and is separated from the walling detailed above by about 4 m. This eastern component is an 8-m-long section being actively eroded at high tide. It represents a low mound, rising approx. 2 m above the shingle. The upper 0.15 m is turf, below this 0.2 m of organically enriched sand, and below this o.2 m of blown sand. Below this is 0.6 m (at center of mound) of flat shingle mixed with organically enriched sand. In the lower 0.4 m or so the cavities are often filled with limpet shells and animal bone (scapula, jaw bones, ribs, foot bones: likely cattle and smaller mammals). My guess would be that this mound represents redeposited material. It is chaotic, full of voids, and there is rather too much stone for a typical midden. Some of the stone appears to be burnt and fire-cracked.
Further exposure of the main wall means that 17 courses are now visible. The wall is a revetment wall built against the sand section. Some of the shaley sandstone of the wall appears highly burnt. Frequent fire-cracked stone, rare limpet shell, animal bone fragments present around and within the wall matrix, which is a very dark brown/black organic soily sand containing frequent shale fragments. A buried ground surface of this very dark soil containing burnt stone, animal bone and shell extends westwards from the base of the wall. The OGS is buried beneath a metre of sand. The site has obviously deteriorated since the previous visit. Is this the almost destroyed remains of the back revetment wall of a complex burnt mound?

Location

347825.00
998649.00
27700
58.8720398
-2.9065096

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Deposits in front of the wall (filling the structure) on the east side. 28/03/2023 Deposits in front of the wall (filling the structure) on the east side. joannahambly
Deposits in front of the wall (filling the structure) on the east side.
Detail of wall showing areas of highly burnt stone (darker and reddish colour) 28/03/2023 Detail of wall showing areas of highly burnt stone (darker and reddish colour) joannahambly
Detail of wall showing areas of highly burnt stone (darker and reddish colour)
Eroded west end of the wall on the left of the photograph. Buried deposits extending around the structure comprising black soily sand containing frequent burnt material can be seen at the base of the ranging rod. 28/03/2023 Eroded west end of the wall on the left of the photograph. Buried deposits extending around the structure comprising black soily sand containing frequent burnt material can be seen at the base of the ranging rod. joannahambly
Eroded west end of the wall on the left of the photograph. Buried deposits extending around the structure comprising black soily sand containing frequent burnt material can be seen at the base of the ranging rod.
General view of structure looking south 28/03/2023 General view of structure looking south joannahambly
General view of structure looking south
General view of structure looking southeast 28/03/2023 General view of structure looking southeast joannahambly
General view of structure looking southeast
Close-up of eroded cross section through the revetment wall. 28/03/2023 Close-up of eroded cross section through the revetment wall. joannahambly
Close-up of eroded cross section through the revetment wall.
Assorted bones washed from the lower levels of the mound. 10/01/2014 Assorted bones washed from the lower levels of the mound. mgts24
Assorted bones washed from the lower levels of the mound.
Feature, with recent erosion, viewed from above 10/01/2014 Feature, with recent erosion, viewed from above mgts24
Feature, with recent erosion, viewed from above
Panorama of mound section (left to right is east to west) 10/01/2014 Panorama of mound section (left to right is east to west) mgts24
Panorama of mound section (left to right is east to west)
Section of drystone wall several meters west of the mound, and possibly unconnected 10/01/2014 Section of drystone wall several meters west of the mound, and possibly unconnected mgts24
Section of drystone wall several meters west of the mound, and possibly unconnected

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
4413 28/03/2023 joannahambly
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Description Further exposure of the main wall means that 17 courses are now visible. The wall is a revetment wall built against the sand section. Some of the shaley sandstone of the wall appears highly burnt. Fire-cracked stone, limpet shell, animal bone fragments present around and within the wall matrix, which is a very dark brown/black organic soily sand containing frequent shale fragments. A buried ground surface of this very dark soil containing burnt stone, animal bone and shell extends westwards from the base of the wall. The OGS is buried beneath a metre of sand. The site has obviously deteriorated since the previous visit. I wonder if this is a burnt mound?
This site is almost destroyed. A targeted investigation to recover dating evidence and assist in interpretation would be usefully carried out sooner rather than later.
1528 10/01/2014 mgts24
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats vegetation growth; animal burrows; water erosion (e.g. stream, etc)
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Anthropogenic deposits are visible in a 25m long coastal exposure which has been cut into the sand dunes by marine erosion. The uppermost deposit visible in section is a 0.4m layer of wind-blown sand. Beneath this, a portion of walling, up to 13 courses/1m high, runs parallel with the section face for 1.9m, before curving outwards towards its W end. The W end of the wall is formed from several orthostatic blocks - the remainder of the structure at this end has been lost to the sea. Further to the W, a deposit of loose stones may represent collapsed walling, this sits over an old ground surface and shell-rich deposits. The old ground surface is visible beneath the E end of the wall also - the terminus of this wall is obscured by slumped sand deposits. Several small fragments of iron were noted amongst the deposits in section, but these may be intrusive. No features or deposits of an archaeological nature were noted in the field adjacent to the shore, although the depth of blown sand is such that any remains are likely to be deeply buried. The deposits are tentatively interpreted as part of the interior wall face of a curvilinear structure. Local tradition holds that there is a burial ground in this area. It is recorded that in about 1960 part of a grave, containing two individuals and covered with a slab, was found eroding from the shoreline (ND 49 NE 11). Human bones have been seen in the erosion face on occasion, and several were noted by OS surveyors in 1973. A local man, Mr. Laird of Weddell, encountered traces of an indeterminate building whist digging in this area. The frequency with which deposits have been noted in this area suggests that there are substantial buried remains in the area. The deposits found during this survey, if as is suggested, form part of a structure, may be part of the same structure as that found by Mr. Laird. Since his discovery was made whist digging, presumably in the field which lies adjacent to the shore, the remains now visible may be only beginning to erode. The presence of human burials (not seen during this survey) in close proximity to a structure may indicate the site of a chapel and burial ground of early (pre-Reformation) date. Added by MGTS24. 10 January 2014: As now visible, this feature extends over 15 m or so (east west along the shore) and has two parts. At the west end is a 2.5 m long section of dry stone wall of 6 or 7 courses of small flat stones on two courses of large slabs under 0.3 m of turf, and is typical of dry stone walling in this area into the historic period. The base of this walling is at the high water mark and is being eroded at high tides. The walling appears to arc outwards towards the sea at the west end. The eastern component may be a separate feature, and is likely the main component previously reported here, and is separated from the walling detailed above by about 4 m. This eastern component is an 8-m-long section being actively eroded at high tide. It represents a low mound, rising approx. 2 m above the shingle. The upper 0.15 m is turf, below this 0.2 m of organically enriched sand, and below this o.2 m of blown sand. Below this is 0.6 m (at center of mound) of flat shingle mixed with organically enriched sand. In the lower 0.4 m or so the cavities are often filled with limpet shells and animal bone (scapula, jaw bones, ribs, foot bones: likely cattle and smaller mammals). My guess would be that this mound represents redeposited material. It is chaotic, full of voids, and there is rather too much stone for a typical midden. Some of the stone appears to be burnt and fire-cracked.
It would be interesting to date this site and to peel back the turf above it to see whether there is much left of it inland, or whether this represents the last vestiges of a largely eroded monument. This might also help turn up evidence of the burials reported previously.
Comments This site is within several hundred meters of two brochs (IDs 5943 and 5946) a chambered cairn (ID 5944), and WW II coastal defenses (ID 5945). It is a very rich stretch of coast and could benefit from a 'landscape approach', perhaps with geophysics.

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