Condition

2
Mound & coastal exoposure
Prehistoric
306692
Orkney

Description

A mound, which may represent an enhanced natural rise, is located within a pasture field, beside the coast edge. It is up to 40m in diameter and stands 1.5m or so in height. The seaward side of the mound is being eroded by the sea and archaeological deposits, probably derived from settlement, are exposed in the section. At the west end of the exposure a 1.3m deep deposit of buried soil can bee seen to extend over a distance of 9m. Further east, an old cultivation soil is associated with interleaving ashy lenses; structural remains lie over these deposits and are associated with anthropogenic layers containing peat ash and animal bone. The form of the structure is not readily visible in section but at least one stone-lined feature, possibly a drain, was seen. The section face is being further damaged by nesting fulmars and by rabbit burrowing. Chance finds from the section include fragments of pumice, pottery and small flint chips.

Location

369990.00
1040350.00
27700
59.2486382
-2.5278831

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
top of site 07/02/2013 top of site Thorne
top of site
top of site 07/02/2013 top of site Thorne
top of site
section 07/02/2013 section Thorne
section
section 07/02/2013 section Thorne
section

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
882 07/02/2013 Thorne
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Threats animal burrows
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description A mound, which may represent an enhanced natural rise, is located within a pasture field, beside the coast edge. It is up to 40m in diameter and stands 1.5m or so in height. The seaward side of the mound is being eroded by the sea and archaeological deposits, probably derived from settlement, are exposed in the section. At the west end of the exposure a 1.3m deep deposit of buried soil can bee seen to extend over a distance of 9m. Further east, an old cultivation soil is associated with interleaving ashy lenses; structural remains lie over these deposits and are associated with anthropogenic layers containing peat ash and animal bone. The form of the structure is not readily visible in section but at least one stone-lined feature, possibly a drain, was seen. The section face is being further damaged by nesting fulmars and by rabbit burrowing. Chance finds from the section include fragments of pumice, pottery and small flint chips.

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