Condition

2
Settlement
Neolithic
3422
SMR290
Orkney

Description

Extensive archaeological deposits exposed in the 100m+ coastal section are associated with a multi-period settlement. This site has been investigated over several seasons up to 1988. Interim results indicate that the earliest remains on the site date back to the Neolithic period; later Iron Age/Pictish remains, followed by Norse period structures well represented later on in the sequence. A large number of artifacts, including a Pictish symbol stone, were recovered during excavation and extensive palaeoenvironmental studies were undertaken. Deposits exposed in the section, which are up to 4m thick, include extensive deposits of midden material, structural remains and cultivation soils. The tell-like accumulation of deposits at this site shares similarities with what is currently known of several of the other 'farm mound' sites on Sanday, which may also be found to represent multiperiod settlements of very long duration. Ref.: Brogger, AW (1930) 'Den Norsk bosetningen pa Shetland-Orknoyene; Greig, S (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland (part II of Shetelig, H (ed) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland); RCAHMS (1946), appendix #2; RCAHMS (1980), #84; Hunter JR (1985) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Broch, symbol stone, grooved ware settlement, stone objects', DES (1985), 66; Hunter, JR (1987) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Neolithic, Iron Age, Pictish-Norse structures: grooved ware', DES (1987), 36; Hunter, JR (1988) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Multi-period site', DES (1988). 20/04/2014 As described. Very extensive remains of dry stone structures and deeply stratified cultural deposits. At least 3 phases of activity recognisable from the section. Although excavations have taken place at Pool, un-investigated deposits are actively eroding. June 2018 As described

Location

361940.00
1037850.00
27700
59.2255402
-2.6685653

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
June 2018: Main stretch of eroding section showing structures 19/12/2019 June 2018: Main stretch of eroding section showing structures training1
June 2018: Main stretch of eroding section showing structures
South end of Pool in March 2016, looking N 20/04/2014 South end of Pool in March 2016, looking N training1
South end of Pool in March 2016, looking N
South end of Pool in March 2016 20/04/2014 South end of Pool in March 2016 training1
South end of Pool in March 2016
Detail of structures 20/04/2014 Detail of structures training1
Detail of structures
Detail of structures 20/04/2014 Detail of structures training1
Detail of structures
Detail of structures 20/04/2014 Detail of structures training1
Detail of structures
Detail of eroding structures 20/04/2014 Detail of eroding structures training1
Detail of eroding structures
Closer view of section 20/04/2014 Closer view of section training1
Closer view of section
View across bay to eroding section with stonework of possible harbour just visible in foreground, looking NE 20/04/2014 View across bay to eroding section with stonework of possible harbour just visible in foreground, looking NE training1
View across bay to eroding section with stonework of possible harbour just visible in foreground, looking NE
View across the bay towards eroding section with ruinous farmstead in foreground, looking NE 20/04/2014 View across the bay towards eroding section with ruinous farmstead in foreground, looking NE training1
View across the bay towards eroding section with ruinous farmstead in foreground, looking NE

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3318 19/12/2019 training1
Description June 2018 As described
1691 20/04/2014 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is well known
Description Extensive archaeological deposits exposed in the 100m+ coastal section are associated with a multi-period settlement. This site has been investigated over several seasons up to 1988. Interim results indicate that the earliest remains on the site date back to the Neolithic period; later Iron Age/Pictish remains, followed by Norse period structures well represented later on in the sequence. A large number of artifacts, including a Pictish symbol stone, were recovered during excavation and extensive palaeoenvironmental studies were undertaken. Deposits exposed in the section, which are up to 4m thick, include extensive deposits of midden material, structural remains and cultivation soils. The tell-like accumulation of deposits at this site shares similarities with what is currently known of several of the other 'farm mound' sites on Sanday, which may also be found to represent multiperiod settlements of very long duration. Ref.: Brogger, AW (1930) 'Den Norsk bosetningen pa Shetland-Orknoyene; Greig, S (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland (part II of Shetelig, H (ed) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland); RCAHMS (1946), appendix #2; RCAHMS (1980), #84; Hunter JR (1985) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Broch, symbol stone, grooved ware settlement, stone objects', DES (1985), 66; Hunter, JR (1987) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Neolithic, Iron Age, Pictish-Norse structures: grooved ware', DES (1987), 36; Hunter, JR (1988) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Multi-period site', DES (1988). 20/04/2014 As described. Very extensive remains of dry stone structures and deeply stratified cultural deposits. At least 3 phases of activity recognisable from the section. Although excavations have taken place at Pool, un-investigated deposits are actively eroding.
Section suitable for low level aerial photography to generate structure from motion point cloud models of the coast edge and ortho-rectified photographs of the section face. This should be carried out regularly in order to monitor rate of erosion. Regular visual inspection and photographic recording should be undertaken to monitor change, retrieve artefactual material and to alert the LA archaeologist if significant change occurs.
Comments Ideal site for adoption by a local volunteer for monitoring. March 2016: Pool has been monitored by SCHARP volunteers and observed on regular site visits from 2013-16. In that time no significant erosion has taken place despite severe weather in all of those years that impacted other areas of coastline on Sanday.

Pin It on Pinterest