Condition

2
Possible broch
Iron Age
3414
SMR100
Orkney

Description

The site of a large structure of apparent prehistoric date, most likely a broch, lies on a rocky outcrop beside the coast edge. Petrie investigated the remains in 1867 and noted that the main structure was surrounded by a ring of large stones and that the walls had a considerable batter. The site has been badly damaged in the past by deliberate leveling and what remains is now subject to destruction by sea erosion and through small-scale sand extraction. In the coastal section, erosion has exposed midden and fragmentary structural deposits over a distance of some 20m; deep anthropogenic soils extend to the west of this for almost 100m. The structural remains include a 3m thick wall, double faced with a soil and rubble core and fragmentary floor surfaces. The midden deposits contain inclusions of bone, peatash, burnt clay and shell. Traces of an OGS are intermittently visible beneath the structural remains. To the rear of the coast, a grassy mound measuring 20m in diameter and standing up to 1.75m high may mark the presence of further buried deposits. Ref.: Petrie, G, (1859-73) Note book 9, 35; RCAHMS (1946) #159; RCAHMS (1980), #58. FEB 2015- no significant changes. ShoreUPDATE 25/08/2018 As described, no significant changes

Location

364140.00
1039190.00
27700
59.2377663
-2.6302459

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Aug 2018: stonework visible at east side of mound 19/12/2019 Aug 2018: stonework visible at east side of mound training1
Aug 2018: stonework visible at east side of mound
Aug 2018: stonework visible at west side of mound 19/12/2019 Aug 2018: stonework visible at west side of mound training1
Aug 2018: stonework visible at west side of mound
Aug 2018: general view of Backaskaill along coast edge 19/12/2019 Aug 2018: general view of Backaskaill along coast edge training1
Aug 2018: general view of Backaskaill along coast edge
Backaskaill - stonework visible at west side of the mound 10/02/2015 Backaskaill - stonework visible at west side of the mound cparker
Backaskaill - stonework visible at west side of the mound
Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge 10/02/2015 Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge cparker
Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge
Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge 10/02/2015 Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge cparker
Backaskaill - stonework visible in eroded coast edge
Backaskaill - general view of the site 10/02/2015 Backaskaill - general view of the site cparker
Backaskaill - general view of the site
East side of mound with human scales 06/01/2015 East side of mound with human scales training1
East side of mound with human scales
Closer view of structues on east side of mound, looking N 06/01/2015 Closer view of structues on east side of mound, looking N training1
Closer view of structues on east side of mound, looking N
Closer view of structural remains on east side of mound 06/01/2015 Closer view of structural remains on east side of mound training1
Closer view of structural remains on east side of mound
Detail of perimeter walling on east side of ditch 06/01/2015 Detail of perimeter walling on east side of ditch training1
Detail of perimeter walling on east side of ditch
Detail of cut (east side) for ditch 06/01/2015 Detail of cut (east side) for ditch training1
Detail of cut (east side) for ditch
General view of section across possible broch showing perimeter walls and ditch to left (west) of image looking NE 06/01/2015 General view of section across possible broch showing perimeter walls and ditch to left (west) of image looking NE training1
General view of section across possible broch showing perimeter walls and ditch to left (west) of image looking NE

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3316 19/12/2019 training1
Description ShoreUPDATE 25/08/2018 As described, no significant changes
1894 06/01/2015 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats tipping; sand/shingle extraction
Other threats A large pit for farm rubbish has been dug into the landward side of the broch mound
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited
Description ShoreUPDATE 23/04/2013 As described except features may be more clearly visible. The coastal section cuts through a c. 30m diameter mound with a substantial perimeter drystone wall. On the west side of the mound is a large ditch, c. 8m wide. Fragmentary exposures of midden and burnt material are visible. Archaeological material noted includes animal bone, fire-cracked stone, pottery and marine shell.
Previous records suggest the site is very disturbed and field observation supports this. A detailed survey and section drawing would help understand the extent of the remains and the extent of the damage. Priority 2

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