This is the MASTER record for the wider area of the Barabhas archaeological site. An area of stone structures and associated midden deposits. The area has been excavated intermittently between 1976 and 2001 revealing an extensive archaeological landscape dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Norse period. Evidence for multiple phases of occupation and rebuilding of the structures was found, with a Beaker settlement and a Viking / Norse settlement. The site has also been used as a burial ground with crouched inhumations, cremation burials dated to the Iron Age, and an extended inhumation dated to the Middle Iron Age. Finds recovered from the area include animal bones, flint and quartz tools, metal working debris, pottery, a saddle quern and a brooch. Although most of the finds are prehistoric in date (including Beaker pottery and Iron Age pottery) the brooch is medieval. Summary published 2010 (https://www.eaglehill.us/JONAonline/articles/JONA-Sp-9/16-MacLeod.shtml) SAIR report forthcoming (2017). Coastal surveys 2013-2015 identified a number of features visible in the eroding coast edge, including a deposit containing fire cracked stone, a group of pits filled with stone, a possible old ground surface of black sand, and a burnt horizon containing peat ash associated with possible dry stone walling (site records 12469, 12470, 12471, 3139). The sites in the machair hinterland have been investigated and publication is forthcoming. On the date of the last ShoreUPDATE survey, the machair appeared to be generally stable and vegetated, but this is subject to change and the landscape remains vulnerable to Aeolian erosion, and the coast edge is suffering from erosion. Given the known significance of this extensive archaeological landscape and its ongoing vulnerability to coastal and Aeolian erosion, the area should be assigned priority 2.
July 2021. Generally as described. Mostly vegetated with the exception of blow outs that are maintained by sheltering sheep and cows. Fresh rabbit activity also noted. The dots on the SCAPE map don't reflect the number of stone features visible in the turf. A drone survey was carried out in July 2021 to create a detailed record of the whole area. At the same time, the eroding coastal features were revisited and updated. Generally everything visible in the coast edge in the previous visit is still recognisable.
Location
134910.00
951880.00
27700
58.3748474
-6.5359101
Submitted photographs
No images found
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
3559
08/07/2021
joannahambly
Description
July 2021. Generally as described. Mostly vegetated with the exception of blow outs that are maintained by sheltering sheep and cows. Fresh rabbit activity also noted. The dots on the SCAPE map don't reflect the number of stone features visible in the turf. A drone survey was carried out in July 2021 to create a detailed record of the whole area. At the same time, the eroding coastal features were revisited and updated. Generally everything visible in the coast edge in the previous visit is still recognisable.
2814
17/03/2013
training1
Tidal state
Low
Site located?
Yes
Proximity to coast edge
Coast edge
Coastally eroding?
active sea erosion; active wind erosion (in dunes only)
Threats
sand/shingle extraction
Access
easily accessible - no restrictions
Local knowledge
is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description
This is the main record for the wider area of the Barabhas archaeological site.
An area of stone structures and associated midden deposits. The area has been excavated intermittently between 1976 and 2001 revealing an extensive archaeological landscape dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Norse period. Evidence for multiple phases of occupation and rebuilding of the structures was found, with a Beaker settlement and a Viking / Norse settlement. The site has also been used as a burial ground with crouched inhumations, cremation burials dated to the Iron Age, and an extended inhumation dated to the Middle Iron Age.
Finds recovered from the area include animal bones, flint and quartz tools, metal working debris, pottery, a saddle quern and a brooch. Although most of the finds are prehistoric in date (including Beaker pottery and Iron Age pottery) the brooch is medieval.
Summary published 2010 (https://www.eaglehill.us/JONAonline/articles/JONA-Sp-9/16-MacLeod.shtml) SAIR report forthcoming (2017).
Coastal surveys 2013-2015 identified a number of features visible in the eroding coast edge, including a deposit containing fire cracked stone, a group of pits filled with stone, a possible old ground surface of black sand, and a burnt horizon containing peat ash associated with possible dry stone walling (site records 12469, 12470, 12471, 3139).
The sites in the machair hinterland have been investigated and publication is forthcoming. On the date of the last ShoreUPDATE survey, the machair appeared to be generally stable and vegetated, but this is subject to change and the landscape remains vulnerable to Aeolian erosion, and the coast edge is suffering from erosion. Given the known significance of this extensive archaeological landscape and its ongoing vulnerability to coastal and Aeolian erosion, the area should be assigned priority 2.
Assign priority 2 to wider archaeological landscape
