Condition

2
Coastal exposure with anthropogenic deposits
Early Medieval, Medieval
139161
MWE149278
Na h-Eileanan Siar

Description

There are intermittent exposures of stonework and anthropogenic deposits along a 140m long stretch of coastline. The NGR provided above represents a central point. The exposures are visible in the face of sand dunes which have been cut vertical by the recent storm. These remains are located to the seaward side of three previously recorded Norse settlement sites (NF71NW10, 11 and 18). From the northern end of the exposure and extending for some 85m the deposits comprise mainly of loose stonework which is eroding from the exposure close to the top of the dunes. The southernmost 55m of the coastal exposure contains more organic soil deposits, up to 0.2m thick. These contain inclusions of shell, animal bone and fish bone. A decorated fragment of a bone comb, possibly of Pictish design, was recovered from this area and has been sent for specialist assessment and conservation. In places the midden deposits are situated some 2-4m above the level of the beach, over deposits of windblown sand. These deposits are thought to be associated with an extensive Norse settlement which lies in the immediate hinterland and which has been partially excavated. The interim results of this work indicate that the settlement comprised of five longhouses, together with associated outbuildings and middens and that it spanned from the late 10th C to the late 13th C AD (Brennand, M, Parker Pearson, M and Smith, H 1998 'Cille Pheadair (Kilpheder) (South Uist parish), Norse settlement and Pictish cairn' in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1998, 102-103). ShoreUPDATE September 2014 Site as described. Dune face stabilised following severe erosion 2005 storm event. Update December 2015 The dunes are still deteriorating with collapse to the shore side and wind/tide erosion undermining this edge. Several areas of apparent exposed wall lines are identifiable as are several sections of dark (?ash?) lens deposits which may also contain low level midden material. There is one very significant area of exposed 'wall' at NF 72940 19852 (see associated picture) There appears to have been some netting applied to the dune escarpment in an attempt to stabilise the structures, but this is mostly undermined and no longer achieving very much! It would appear that animal activity, including sheep grazing, is accelerating the slippage of the dune face.
October 2021 Site largely as described, coastline unstable and eroding, with stonework and anthropogenic soil horizons visible in the section. Cattle activity appears to be exacerbating the coastal erosion. Walling at top of exposed dune face at north end of exposure still identifiable, further areas of loose cobble sized stones in the section and slumped down the face to the south may indicate further structures. Several anthropogenic soil horizons visible in section, with shell, animal bone, charcoal and burnt stone.

Location

72935.00
819844.00
27700
57.1525000
-7.4109000

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Linear stonework / possible wall line in dune face 31/10/2021 Linear stonework / possible wall line in dune face Ellie
Linear stonework / possible wall line in dune face
Buried soil horizon in section 31/10/2021 Buried soil horizon in section Ellie
Buried soil horizon in section
Stonework eroding out of section 31/10/2021 Stonework eroding out of section Ellie
Stonework eroding out of section
Walling at top of dune face, north end of exposure 31/10/2021 Walling at top of dune face, north end of exposure Ellie
Walling at top of dune face, north end of exposure
General view of coast edge, with culprit cow 31/10/2021 General view of coast edge, with culprit cow Ellie
General view of coast edge, with culprit cow
Eroding dune cliff 12/12/2015 Eroding dune cliff Smilemaker
Eroding dune cliff
Exposed walling at the site 12/12/2015 Exposed walling at the site Smilemaker
Exposed walling at the site
Netting is becoming undermined 12/12/2015 Netting is becoming undermined Smilemaker
Netting is becoming undermined
Sithean Biorach - shell midden 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - shell midden training1
Sithean Biorach - shell midden
Sithean Biorach - general view 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - general view MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - general view
Sithean Biorach - detail of shell midden 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - detail of shell midden MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - detail of shell midden
Sithean Biorach - shell midden 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - shell midden MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - shell midden
Sithean Biorach - stone of wall collapsing down dune 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - stone of wall collapsing down dune MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - stone of wall collapsing down dune
Sithean Biorach - wall in upper section of dune 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - wall in upper section of dune MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - wall in upper section of dune
Sithean Biorach - dune face at coast edge and beach 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - dune face at coast edge and beach MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - dune face at coast edge and beach
Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face
Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face 24/09/2014 Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face MartynJ
Sithean Biorach - upper section of dune face

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3628 31/10/2021 Ellie
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Unsure
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; active wind erosion (in dunes only); has eroded in the past
Other threats Animal damage
Access easily accessible - no restrictions
Description October 2021 Site largely as described, coastline unstable and eroding, with stonework and anthropogenic soil horizons visible in the section. Cattle activity appears to be exacerbating the coastal erosion. Walling at top of exposed dune face at north end of exposure still identifiable, further areas of loose cobble sized stones in the section and slumped down the face to the south may indicate further structures. Several anthropogenic soil horizons visible in section, with shell, animal bone, charcoal and burnt stone.
Maintain priority score, regular updates and monitoring
2305 12/12/2015 Smilemaker
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; active wind erosion (in dunes only); has eroded in the past
Threats stock erosion; animal burrows
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible - difficult terrain; vehicular access; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is well known
Description There are intermittent exposures of stonework and anthropogenic deposits along a 140m long stretch of coastline. The NGR provided above represents a central point. The exposures are visible in the face of sand dunes which have been cut vertical by the recent storm. These remains are located to the seaward side of three previously recorded Norse settlement sites (NF71NW10, 11 and 18). From the northern end of the exposure and extending for some 85m the deposits comprise mainly of loose stonework which is eroding from the exposure close to the top of the dunes. The southernmost 55m of the coastal exposure contains more organic soil deposits, up to 0.2m thick. These contain inclusions of shell, animal bone and fish bone. A decorated fragment of a bone comb, possibly of Pictish design, was recovered from this area and has been sent for specialist assessment and conservation. In places the midden deposits are situated some 2-4m above the level of the beach, over deposits of windblown sand. These deposits are thought to be associated with an extensive Norse settlement which lies in the immediate hinterland and which has been partially excavated. The interim results of this work indicate that the settlement comprised of five longhouses, together with associated outbuildings and middens and that it spanned from the late 10th C to the late 13th C AD (Brennand, M, Parker Pearson, M and Smith, H 1998 'Cille Pheadair (Kilpheder) (South Uist parish), Norse settlement and Pictish cairn' in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1998, 102-103). ShoreUPDATE September 2014 Site as described. Dune face stabilised following severe erosion 2005 storm event. Update December 2015 The dunes are still deteriorating with collapse to the shore side and wind/tide erosion undermining this edge. Several areas of apparent exposed wall lines are identifiable as are several sections of dark (?ash?) lens deposits which may also contain low level midden material. There is one very significant area of exposed 'wall' at NF 72940 19852 (see associated picture) There appears to have been some netting applied to the dune escarpment in an attempt to stabilise the structures, but this is mostly undermined and no longer achieving very much! It would appear that animal activity, including sheep grazing, is accelerating the slippage of the dune face.
If it is desired to learn more about this site, now would be a good time for intervention as there are several easily accessed areas of potential interest.
1801 24/09/2014 MartynJ
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; active wind erosion (in dunes only); has eroded in the past
Threats animal burrows
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description There are intermittent exposures of stonework and anthropogenic deposits along a 140m long stretch of coastline. The NGR provided above represents a central point. The exposures are visible in the face of sand dunes which have been cut vertical by the recent storm. These remains are located to the seaward side of three previously recorded Norse settlement sites (NF71NW10, 11 and 18). From the northern end of the exposure and extending for some 85m the deposits comprise mainly of loose stonework which is eroding from the exposure close to the top of the dunes. The southernmost 55m of the coastal exposure contains more organic soil deposits, up to 0.2m thick. These contain inclusions of shell, animal bone and fish bone. A decorated fragment of a bone comb, possibly of Pictish design, was recovered from this area and has been sent for specialist assessment and conservation. In places the midden deposits are situated some 2-4m above the level of the beach, over deposits of windblown sand. These deposits are thought to be associated with an extensive Norse settlement which lies in the immediate hinterland and which has been partially excavated. The interim results of this work indicate that the settlement comprised of five longhouses, together with associated outbuildings and middens and that it spanned from the late 10th C to the late 13th C AD (Brennand, M, Parker Pearson, M and Smith, H 1998 'Cille Pheadair (Kilpheder) (South Uist parish), Norse settlement and Pictish cairn' in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1998, 102-103). ShoreUPDATE September 2014 Site as described. Dune face stabilised following severe erosion 2005 storm event.
Regular monitoring
Comments Site as described. Dune face stabilised following severe erosion 2005 storm event.

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