Condition

3
Structures
Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age
270778
Shetland

Description

Two sites may represent dwellings of prehistoric date. They appear to be associated with NM50, NM51, and NM52. (i) An amorphous, level-topped grassy mound is located on a narrow shelf below a steep slope, less than 1m from the cliff edge. It measures 9.5m in diameter and stands to 1m high. The centre is slightly 'dished'. Over 15% of the mound is affected by rabbit damage and the area is being denuded of both vegetation and soil cover by erosion. (ii) A raised area, c.3m by 3m, is surrounded by intermittent large stones. The site is now so degraded that the relationship between stones and mound is not clearly determinable. 22 May 2015 Part of a group of four earthwork structures [from south to north 5703, 5704, 5705, 5706] on a promontory between the coast edge and the steep hill behind, with an earthwork bank running roughly N-S at the break of slope [also recorded under site ID 5706]. Feature (i) described above [SCHARP ID 5103] is the southernmost of the features, and is as described, with minor erosion on the seaward side of its enclosing bank. The other features in the group are as described [see 5704, 5705, 5706 for full description], none of these other features showed signs of erosion. Earthworks and place-name make it highly likely these are a group of sheepfolds (kro), which are typically located on promontories. The linear banks are lead dykes. See Ian Tait, 2012, Shetland Vernacular Buildings page 323-335.

Location

437853.00
1189702.00
27700
60.5889816
-1.3108859

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
5703 on right and 5704 to the left, looking east 22/05/2015 5703 on right and 5704 to the left, looking east training1
5703 on right and 5704 to the left, looking east
Landward edge of mound, looking southeast 22/05/2015 Landward edge of mound, looking southeast training1
Landward edge of mound, looking southeast
Seaward side of mound showing erosion, looking North 22/05/2015 Seaward side of mound showing erosion, looking North training1
Seaward side of mound showing erosion, looking North
Showing relationship of mounds, looking SE 22/05/2015 Showing relationship of mounds, looking SE training1
Showing relationship of mounds, looking SE

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