Condition

3
midden and stone structures
Prehistoric
Na h-Eileanan Siar

Description

A huge midden and associated stone built structures, on a 5mall promontory on the Sound of Orosay. The midden is represented by a grassed-over mound about lm high, but at the sea-cut section the midden and interleaving sand deposits has a depth of 1.8m, so that the total depth is probably between 2 and 3m. The mound is 30-40m across. In the exposed section a peat deposit at the base is overlain by traces of stone structures, with five stones laid horizontally at one point; two further stones are set upright, and further along the sec¬tion there are suggestions of a double-faced wall. A flint pebble was recovered from this level. Of at least three midden levels, the middle one includes a lense of burnt material and many shells. A little below this deposit we recovered five very friable pieces of thin reddish-orange pottery, tempered with coarse sand. The fabric bears no resemblance to any Iron Age or medieval pottery yet seen on Barra. Its nearest parallels are amongst the Beaker sherds from Alt Chrisal. A sampling of the shell content of the midden showed that, as expected in this location, cockles were predominant, followed in descending order by limpets, dog whelks, periwinkles, mussels, pecteus and razor shells. There were traces of further midden deposits in the sea-cut section to the north-east of this site. This is clear¬ly a substantial site, probably of the earlier prehistoric period. ShoreUPDATE 06/05/2016 Site has stabilised since the original CZAS survey and is difficult to detect today. Some of what has been described as midden deposits may possibly be natural storm deposits. This site may be susceptible to NW winds.

Location

71200.00
806310.00
27700
57.0302467
-7.4217038

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Detail of stonework in coast edge 19/05/2016 Detail of stonework in coast edge training1
Detail of stonework in coast edge
The coast edge in front of the mound 19/05/2016 The coast edge in front of the mound training1
The coast edge in front of the mound
General view of the mound at the coast edge 19/05/2016 General view of the mound at the coast edge training1
General view of the mound at the coast edge
Stonework visible in coast edge 19/05/2016 Stonework visible in coast edge training1
Stonework visible in coast edge

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
2635 19/05/2016 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? has eroded in the past
Threats stock erosion
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access vehicular access; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description A huge midden and associated stone built structures, on a 5mall promontory on the Sound of Orosay. The midden is represented by a grassed-over mound about lm high, but at the sea-cut section the midden and interleaving sand deposits has a depth of 1.8m, so that the total depth is probably between 2 and 3m. The mound is 30-40m across. In the exposed section a peat deposit at the base is overlain by traces of stone structures, with five stones laid horizontally at one point; two further stones are set upright, and further along the sec¬tion there are suggestions of a double-faced wall. A flint pebble was recovered from this level. Of at least three midden levels, the middle one includes a lense of burnt material and many shells. A little below this deposit we recovered five very friable pieces of thin reddish-orange pottery, tempered with coarse sand. The fabric bears no resemblance to any Iron Age or medieval pottery yet seen on Barra. Its nearest parallels are amongst the Beaker sherds from Alt Chrisal. A sampling of the shell content of the midden showed that, as expected in this location, cockles were predominant, followed in descending order by limpets, dog whelks, periwinkles, mussels, pecteus and razor shells. There were traces of further midden deposits in the sea-cut section to the north-east of this site. This is clear¬ly a substantial site, probably of the earlier prehistoric period. ShoreUPDATE 06/05/2016 Site has stabilised since the original CZAS survey and is difficult to detect today. Some of what has been described as midden deposits may possibly be natural storm deposits. This site may be susceptible to NW winds.
Change to priority 3.
Comments Site has stabilised and is difficult to detect today. Some of what has been described as midden deposits may possibly be natural storm deposits. This site may be susceptible to NW winds.

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