Condition

2
Promontory Fort
Iron Age
9561
Orkney

Description

The remains of a defended Iron Age fort and probable secondary monastic settlement occupy a small promontory surrounded by sheer cliffs. The promontory is joined to the mainland by a narrow, eroding rocky ridge. Access to the ridge is restricted by three earthen and stone banks, which extend across the greater part of the neck; a short passage between the banks lies to the S side. The banks are up to 2m high and 5m wide. A series of ditches, which originally accompanied the banks, are now visible as shallow depressions. A fourth bank is situated on the landward side of the promontory. Traces of the footings of a rectangular structure (12m N-S) can be discerned to the rear of this bank. The remains of a further ten rectangular structures, with rounded corners, are spread over the promontory. The entire promontory is badly eroded and access is hazardous. Archaeological deposits can be seen eroding from several exposures on the promontory. The largest exposure lies to the NW side, where there has been recent large-scale ground slippage. Fragments of masonry and anthropogenic soil deposits are strewn over the sheer cliff sides. Deposits of stone and a silty soil containing shell can be seen in a smaller exposure to the E side of the promontory. ShoreUPDATE 9 May 2015 As described. The northwest corner of the promontory has sheared off in the past, exposing drystone structures and midden deposits in sections on both sides of the collapse. This appears to have been a geological collapse, although probably exacerbated by erosion at the cliff base. Only a tiny fraction of this monument is impacted, and the nature of the erosion is sudden, dramatic high, hard cliff failure along bedding planes and fault lines.

Location

343450.00
984250.00
27700
58.7421913
-2.9787159

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse training1
Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse
Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse training1
Castle of Burwick, view of the collapse
Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section training1
Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section
Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section training1
Castle of Burwick, showing features exposed in section
Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory training1
Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory
Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory 09/05/2015 Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory training1
Castle of Burwick, general view of the promontory

Submitted updates

No updates found

Pin It on Pinterest