Condition

6
Settlement
Neolithic
2790
Orkney

Description

An extensive settlement of the Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age period is located beneath sand dunes around the Bay of Grobust. An examination of aerial photographs taken in 1947 indicates that some deflation was occurring at this time, with the western area being worst affected. Photographs taken in 1987 show only a slight worsening in the situation. The finding of this survey indicate that there has been a substantial increase in the rate of deflation since 1987, with larger areas of the site now denuded of vegetation and eroding. This situation may have been hastened by sand quarrying in the immediate hinterland. The site was excavated between 1978 and 1981. In one area, a sequence of stratified midden deposits and structural remains were recorded, in another a large multi-chambered structure was uncovered. Traces of field boundaries and cultivation soils were also identified. A large number of artefacts, together with quantities of environmental materials were recovered (Clarke & Sharples, 1985). The excavation area has been reinstated and over much of the site there is little visible sign of any archaeological deposits. An arc of walling, possibly part of a circular or oval structure was noted, however. This structure is defined by an inner wall face comprising intermittent stones. It is estimated that this structure measures some 14m in diameter. It lies about 70m from the coast edge. Inside the walling were a series of uprights and a rectangular stone setting, which may be part of a hearth. There are frequent exposures of an old ground surface and there are scatters of bone, shell and stone. The scheduled area is now surrounded by rabbit-proof fencing, although this does not appear to have been very effective in keeping rabbits off the site. There are frequent burrows over the entire area and in some places the fencing has been entirely covered up by wind blown sand deposits. 05/07/14 Currently coming to the end of an extensive excavation by Ease Archaeology. Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement.

Location

342800.00
1049300.00
27700
59.3261871
-3.0068817

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Looking south towards 2014 excvation area 06/07/2014 Looking south towards 2014 excvation area training1
Looking south towards 2014 excvation area
Area north of 2014 area of excavation 06/07/2014 Area north of 2014 area of excavation training1
Area north of 2014 area of excavation
Closer view of 2014 excavation 06/07/2014 Closer view of 2014 excavation training1
Closer view of 2014 excavation
Panorama of 2014 area of excavation looking North 06/07/2014 Panorama of 2014 area of excavation looking North training1
Panorama of 2014 area of excavation looking North

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1721 06/07/2014 training1
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge >50m
Coastally eroding? active wind erosion (in dunes only)
Access easily accessible - no restrictions
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited
Description An extensive settlement of the Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age period is located beneath sand dunes around the Bay of Grobust. An examination of aerial photographs taken in 1947 indicates that some deflation was occurring at this time, with the western area being worst affected. Photographs taken in 1987 show only a slight worsening in the situation. The finding of this survey indicate that there has been a substantial increase in the rate of deflation since 1987, with larger areas of the site now denuded of vegetation and eroding. This situation may have been hastened by sand quarrying in the immediate hinterland. The site was excavated between 1978 and 1981. In one area, a sequence of stratified midden deposits and structural remains were recorded, in another a large multi-chambered structure was uncovered. Traces of field boundaries and cultivation soils were also identified. A large number of artefacts, together with quantities of environmental materials were recovered (Clarke & Sharples, 1985). The excavation area has been reinstated and over much of the site there is little visible sign of any archaeological deposits. An arc of walling, possibly part of a circular or oval structure was noted, however. This structure is defined by an inner wall face comprising intermittent stones. It is estimated that this structure measures some 14m in diameter. It lies about 70m from the coast edge. Inside the walling were a series of uprights and a rectangular stone setting, which may be part of a hearth. There are frequent exposures of an old ground surface and there are scatters of bone, shell and stone. The scheduled area is now surrounded by rabbit-proof fencing, although this does not appear to have been very effective in keeping rabbits off the site. There are frequent burrows over the entire area and in some places the fencing has been entirely covered up by wind blown sand deposits. 05/07/14 Currently coming to the end of an extensive excavation by Ease Archaeology. Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement.
Excavated. Remove from priorities.

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