Condition

1
Coastal exposure: probable burial cairn
Bronze Age, Iron Age
3614
Orkney

Description

Previously, a structure exposed in the coastal section and thought to be part of a cist was presumed to be almost destroyed by erosion. The removal of further deposits from around the cist now indicate that it is surrounded by anthropogenic soils, probably within a kerbed mound. One side of the cist box, formed from a single slab (70mm x 30mm x 7mm) protrudes from the section face. The remainder of the cist has been removed by erosion, leaving a void. From the size of the projecting slab and the size of the void it can be estimated that the cist measured in the region of 0.55m in width by 0.79m in length. To the west side of the cist, a group of flat slabs extend outwards for 2m, covering a layer of ashy, organic soil which constitutes the basal deposits of the mound. A small fragment of unworked flint was noted in the ashy soil deposits. To the east side of the cist, peatash lenses extend outwards for 4m to abut large stone blocks. These blocks appear to mark the limit of the site and may form an external kerb. The ashy layers are interspersed with lenses of redeposited till and bands of charcoal rich soil. The surface of the underlying till in this area is reddened, apparently due to episodes of burning. There is no sign of a mound in the hinterland. The site is very vulnerable to continued erosion by the sea. ShoreUPDATE 22/04/2013: More or less as described except further structures and deposits are visible. Burnt midden deposits and stone structures extend for at least 50m along the exposed section face. The general stratigraphy of the archaeological section from the base comprises bedrock overlain by till/subsoil, burnt midden material, stone tumble, mixed soil, storm beach, topsoil and turf. Visible structural remains, which are all located upon and within the burnt midden deposits and below the stone tumble are as follows: 2 stone cists (one noted in the original survey); 1 shallow bowl-shaped stone lined feature filled with fire-cracked stone; 4 areas of concentrated burning/hearths; a c. 3m long exposure of horizontally laid stone slab flooring or paving, possibly a structure. Archaeological material noted includes; fish bone, frequent fire-cracked cobbles; frequent animal bone; rare marine shell. ShoreUPDATE 18/09/2017: Site has deteriorated a little since 2013. Two cist-like structures still visible. At least 2 hearths visible. A layer of in-situ iron slag was noted upon the burnt sandstone base of one of the hearths.

Location

370390.00
1043020.00
27700
59.2726402
-2.5212369

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
A further hearth in Sept 2017 06/01/2015 A further hearth in Sept 2017 joannahambly
A further hearth in Sept 2017
Detail of iron slag upon hearth base in Sept 2017 06/01/2015 Detail of iron slag upon hearth base in Sept 2017 joannahambly
Detail of iron slag upon hearth base in Sept 2017
Hearth with burnt stone base in Sept 2017 06/01/2015 Hearth with burnt stone base in Sept 2017 joannahambly
Hearth with burnt stone base in Sept 2017
Showing box-like structures Sept 2017, looking S 06/01/2015 Showing box-like structures Sept 2017, looking S joannahambly
Showing box-like structures Sept 2017, looking S
General view of section showing some structures in Sept 2017, looking E 06/01/2015 General view of section showing some structures in Sept 2017, looking E joannahambly
General view of section showing some structures in Sept 2017, looking E
Showing tumble upon burnt midden deposits 06/01/2015 Showing tumble upon burnt midden deposits training1
Showing tumble upon burnt midden deposits
Horizontally laid stone slabs - possible surface 06/01/2015 Horizontally laid stone slabs - possible surface training1
Horizontally laid stone slabs - possible surface
Concentrated burning, possible hearth 06/01/2015 Concentrated burning, possible hearth training1
Concentrated burning, possible hearth
Stone lined bowl-shaped feature filled with fire-cracked cobbles 06/01/2015 Stone lined bowl-shaped feature filled with fire-cracked cobbles training1
Stone lined bowl-shaped feature filled with fire-cracked cobbles
Stone cist originally identified in CZAS survey 06/01/2015 Stone cist originally identified in CZAS survey training1
Stone cist originally identified in CZAS survey
Representative view of section, looking SE 06/01/2015 Representative view of section, looking SE training1
Representative view of section, looking SE

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3037 18/09/2017 joannahambly
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Previously, a structure exposed in the coastal section and thought to be part of a cist was presumed to be almost destroyed by erosion. The removal of further deposits from around the cist now indicate that it is surrounded by anthropogenic soils, probably within a kerbed mound. One side of the cist box, formed from a single slab (70mm x 30mm x 7mm) protrudes from the section face. The remainder of the cist has been removed by erosion, leaving a void. From the size of the projecting slab and the size of the void it can be estimated that the cist measured in the region of 0.55m in width by 0.79m in length. To the west side of the cist, a group of flat slabs extend outwards for 2m, covering a layer of ashy, organic soil which constitutes the basal deposits of the mound. A small fragment of unworked flint was noted in the ashy soil deposits. To the east side of the cist, peatash lenses extend outwards for 4m to abut large stone blocks. These blocks appear to mark the limit of the site and may form an external kerb. The ashy layers are interspersed with lenses of redeposited till and bands of charcoal rich soil. The surface of the underlying till in this area is reddened, apparently due to episodes of burning. There is no sign of a mound in the hinterland. The site is very vulnerable to continued erosion by the sea. ShoreUPDATE 18/09/2017: Site has deteriorated a little since 2013. Two cist-like structures still visible. At least 2 hearths visible. A layer of in-situ iron slag was noted upon the burnt sandstone base of one of the hearths.
1893 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
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description ShoreUPDATE 22/04/2013 More or less as described except further structures and deposits are visible. Burnt midden deposits and stone structures extend for at least 50m along the exposed section face. The general stratigraphy of the archaeological section from the base comprises bedrock overlain by till/subsoil, burnt midden material, stone tumble, mixed soil, storm beach, topsoil and turf. Visible structural remains, which are all located upon and within the burnt midden deposits and below the stone tumble are as follows: 2 stone cists (one noted in the original survey); 1 shallow bowl-shaped stone lined feature filled with fire-cracked stone; 4 areas of concentrated burning/hearths; a c. 3m long exposure of horizontally laid stone slab flooring or paving, possibly a structure. Archaeological material noted includes; fish bone, frequent fire-cracked cobbles; frequent animal bone; rare marine shell.
These eroding deposits and features require further investigation. Nothing is known about the age or character of this extensive archaeological site. The remains are shallow and situated upon bedrock and till, therefore not as vulnerable as sites in blown sand. However, they are clearly eroding and should be retained as Priority 1.

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