Condition

1
Broch and settlement
Iron Age
9825
MWE9825
Na h-Eileanan Siar

Description

The remains of Dun Vulan broch stand just above the foreshore and have been damaged by the recent storm. The site was the subject of excavation between 1991 and 1996 as part of the SEARCH programme conducted by Sheffield University (Parker Pearson, M and Sharples, N 1999, Between Land and Sea: Excavations at Dun Vulan, South Uist, Sheffield Academic Press). The building, which has an internal diameter of 11m and walls 4m thick, was in use from around 50 BC until AD 400. Outside the broch, middens and structural remains indicate that the site was occupied from as early as the Late Bronze Age period, with a series of rectangular outbuildings continuing in use up to about 500 AD. The ground floor of the broch remains unexcavated. The recent storm has caused damage to the sea wall which was built to protect the seaward (south) side of the site. To the west of the site, a section of approximately 65m in length has been washed away; while to the east, a 40m length has been removed. The consolidated outer wall of the south side of the broch has been damaged by erosion: a segment measuring some 8m long has been breached and deposits within the thickness of the wall have been disturbed and washed out. Inside the building, the turf which formerly covered and protected the unexcavated remains has been washed out in places. The ground surface on the landward (north) side of the broch has been removed in places, revealing midden deposits over an area measuring some 15m long by 2.5m wide. The site is now vulnerable to further losses and will require remedial consolidation to maintain it for the future. Update visit - December 2015 This important site continues to deteriorate. The sea defences installed in the late 90s are starting to deteriorate now on the eastern end where a large 'wing' of the defence has broken away from the main structure and moved some 150mm back from its original site. There has also been increased erosion to the east and west of the defences caused by the deflection of tide and wave energy, this has resulted in the undermining of the concrete bay cladding which has collapsed in parts and broken up. The site was visited at high neap tides, and even in this lower tidal period, the waves were almost reaching the defences (about 4m away). Spring tides would typically be around 1m vertically higher, and would be breaking on the defensive walls. Any additional storm surge would be overwhelming the site completely, as evidenced by some seaweed remains within the monument. It is likely that the lower portions of the monument are already waterlogged by salty water, which will be having a negative effect on any contents at the original ground level, which, from the excavation reports, was built on an islet site in a fresh water loch. Visited May 2018: Deterioration of coastal defences and erosion of intact archaeological structures and desposits continuing. In September 2018, AOC were commisioned by HES to carry out archaeological investigations in advance of reinforcement of the concrete apron coastal defence. ShoreUPDATE Jan 2020: A ShoreUPDATE visit following Storm Brendan, recorded the concrete apron to the east of the site severely damaged and largely broken up, and some damage to the recently-installed gabion baskets behind the concrete apron coastal defence on the east of the broch. Storm beach had been thrown up across the grassy hinterland behind the coast edge. Seaweed and storm beach were seen against the broch wall and in the interior, as well as behind the gabions.

Location

71407.00
829815.00
27700
57.2405930
-7.4491978

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Jan 2020: Interior of Dun Vulan showing some collapse of the seaward wall and seaweed and storm beach inside structure 26/01/2020 Jan 2020: Interior of Dun Vulan showing some collapse of the seaward wall and seaweed and storm beach inside structure Smilemaker
Jan 2020: Interior of Dun Vulan showing some collapse of the seaward wall and seaweed and storm beach inside structure
Jan 2020: the broken up coastal defence to the east of Dun Vulan 26/01/2020 Jan 2020: the broken up coastal defence to the east of Dun Vulan Smilemaker
Jan 2020: the broken up coastal defence to the east of Dun Vulan
Jan 2020: The recently-installed gabion baskets at the east side of the broch 26/01/2020 Jan 2020: The recently-installed gabion baskets at the east side of the broch Smilemaker
Jan 2020: The recently-installed gabion baskets at the east side of the broch
Jan 2020: Storm beach spread across the hinterland following Storm Brendan 26/01/2020 Jan 2020: Storm beach spread across the hinterland following Storm Brendan Smilemaker
Jan 2020: Storm beach spread across the hinterland following Storm Brendan
May 2018: general view across broch structure 28/05/2018 May 2018: general view across broch structure EllieSCHARP
May 2018: general view across broch structure
May 2018: Erosion of broch wall and associated occupation deposits 28/05/2018 May 2018: Erosion of broch wall and associated occupation deposits EllieSCHARP
May 2018: Erosion of broch wall and associated occupation deposits
May 2018: concrete apron coastal defence in front of broch wall 28/05/2018 May 2018: concrete apron coastal defence in front of broch wall EllieSCHARP
May 2018: concrete apron coastal defence in front of broch wall
Ongoing deterioration of the site 17/12/2015 Ongoing deterioration of the site Smilemaker
Ongoing deterioration of the site
the broken Eastern defense apron 17/12/2015 the broken Eastern defense apron Smilemaker
the broken Eastern defense apron
Western extent of sea defences 17/12/2015 Western extent of sea defences Smilemaker
Western extent of sea defences
Dun Vulan, the sea defences and Bornish Bay (high neap tide) 17/12/2015 Dun Vulan, the sea defences and Bornish Bay (high neap tide) Smilemaker
Dun Vulan, the sea defences and Bornish Bay (high neap tide)

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3368 26/01/2020 Smilemaker
Description ShoreUPDATE Jan 2020: A ShoreUPDATE visit following Storm Brendan, recorded the concrete apron to the east of the site severely damaged and largely broken up, and some damage to the recently-installed gabion baskets behind the concrete apron coastal defence on the east of the broch. Storm beach had been thrown up across the grassy hinterland behind the coast edge. Seaweed and storm beach were seen against the broch wall and in the interior, as well as behind the gabions.
3323 28/05/2018 EllieSCHARP
Description Visited May 2018: Deterioration of coastal defences and erosion of intact archaeological structures and desposits continuing. In September 2018, AOC were commisioned by HES to carry out archaeological investigations in advance of reinforcement of the concrete apron coastal defence.
2326 17/12/2015 Smilemaker
Tidal state High
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Coastal defence Yes
Threats stock erosion; animal burrows; vehicle damage
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible - difficult terrain; accessible on foot (footpath); vehicular access
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description The remains of Dun Vulan broch stand just above the foreshore and have been damaged by the recent storm. The site was the subject of excavation between 1991 and 1996 as part of the SEARCH programme conducted by Sheffield University (Parker Pearson, M and Sharples, N 1999, Between Land and Sea: Excavations at Dun Vulan, South Uist, Sheffield Academic Press). The building, which has an internal diameter of 11m and walls 4m thick, was in use from around 50 BC until AD 400. Outside the broch, middens and structural remains indicate that the site was occupied from as early as the Late Bronze Age period, with a series of rectangular outbuildings continuing in use up to about 500 AD. The ground floor of the broch remains unexcavated. The recent storm has caused damage to the sea wall which was built to protect the seaward (south) side of the site. To the west of the site, a section of approximately 65m in length has been washed away; while to the east, a 40m length has been removed. The consolidated outer wall of the south side of the broch has been damaged by erosion: a segment measuring some 8m long has been breached and deposits within the thickness of the wall have been disturbed and washed out. Inside the building, the turf which formerly covered and protected the unexcavated remains has been washed out in places. The ground surface on the landward (north) side of the broch has been removed in places, revealing midden deposits over an area measuring some 15m long by 2.5m wide. The site is now vulnerable to further losses and will require remedial consolidation to maintain it for the future. Update visit - December 2015 This important site continues to deteriorate. The sea defences installed in the late 90s are starting to deteriorate now on the eastern end where a large 'wing' of the defence has broken away from the main structure and moved some 150mm back from its original site. There has also been increased erosion to the east and west of the defences caused by the deflection of tide and wave energy, this has resulted in the undermining of the concrete bay cladding which has collapsed in parts and broken up. The site was visited at high neap tides, and even in this lower tidal period, the waves were almost reaching the defences (about 4m away). Spring tides would typically be around 1m vertically higher, and would be breaking on the defensive walls. Any additional storm surge would be overwhelming the site completely, as evidenced by some seaweed remains within the monument. It is likely that the lower portions of the monument are already waterlogged by salty water, which will be having a negative effect on any contents at the original ground level, which, from the excavation reports, was built on an islet site in a fresh water loch.
Examination of the sea defences by a marine conservation specialist and a report made regarding current best practice for ongoing protection of this important broch site
Comments The ongoing erosion and sea level changes since building (c150BC)have overwhelmed the southern portion of the original loch, formed Bornish Bay and created a shoreline site for the monument. Much of the hinterland has already been destroyed by the ongoing maritime invasion, and consideration to a re-evaluation and potential excavation of the site and its surroundings should be considered before it deteriorates to an extent where little information could be obtained from such an intervention.

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