Condition

2
Human burials
942
SMR746
Shetland

Description

Human remains, representing in-situ burials, are visible in a coastal exposure which measures 2m long by 0.85m high. The remains lie in stone-lined graves, cut in the sandy subsoil, and covered by turf and topsoil. The graves are aligned E-W and therefore likely to date to the Christian era. At least two individuals are represented by the in-situ remains, with at least one more individual represented by loose bones found strewn about the foreshore. The in-situ burials have been truncated by coastal erosion; the lower leg and feet bones are missing from one skeleton, while the other is missing all of the lower limb bones. The loose bone includes pelvis, tarsal and metatarsals. Human remains have been found in this area in the past and the site is thought to be a burial ground 'of ancient date'. The remains currently exposed require immediate attention and further survey and monitoring work will be required to determine the extent of archaeological deposits. This site should be given special attention since it is located in the near vicinity and may be associated with the graveyard at Mail. This site has yielded several carved stones and Viking artefacts and appears to have been a centre of influence from the Iron Age period onward. 27/05/14 Four coastal exposures, each approx 1m high and from 1.5m to 5m wide. Thick cultivation soil overlies till and bedrock. One stone drain observed. Two bone frags, unsure whether human or animal. No evidence of inhumations.

Location

443539.00
1127900.00
27700
60.0335655
-1.2204365

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
6557 South Voxter/Mail general view 27/05/2014 6557 South Voxter/Mail general view training1
6557 South Voxter/Mail general view
6557 South Voxter/Mail stone drain (modern) 27/05/2014 6557 South Voxter/Mail stone drain (modern) training1
6557 South Voxter/Mail stone drain (modern)
6557 South Voxter/Mail main exposure 27/05/2014 6557 South Voxter/Mail main exposure training1
6557 South Voxter/Mail main exposure

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1650 27/05/2014 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Human remains, representing in-situ burials, are visible in a coastal exposure which measures 2m long by 0.85m high. The remains lie in stone-lined graves, cut in the sandy subsoil, and covered by turf and topsoil. The graves are aligned E-W and therefore likely to date to the Christian era. At least two individuals are represented by the in-situ remains, with at least one more individual represented by loose bones found strewn about the foreshore. The in-situ burials have been truncated by coastal erosion; the lower leg and feet bones are missing from one skeleton, while the other is missing all of the lower limb bones. The loose bone includes pelvis, tarsal and metatarsals. Human remains have been found in this area in the past and the site is thought to be a burial ground 'of ancient date'. The remains currently exposed require immediate attention and further survey and monitoring work will be required to determine the extent of archaeological deposits. This site should be given special attention since it is located in the near vicinity and may be associated with the graveyard at Mail. This site has yielded several carved stones and Viking artefacts and appears to have been a centre of influence from the Iron Age period onward. 27/05/14 Four coastal exposures, each approx 1m high and from 1.5m to 5m wide. Thick cultivation soil overlies till and bedrock. One stone drain observed. Two bone frags, unsure whether human or animal. No evidence of inhumations.
Site appears to have stabilised, modest areas of discrete erosion, reassign to priority 3.

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