Condition

3
Isolated deposits: old ground surface an
Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age
295707
Orkney

Description

An examination of aerial photographs taken in 1948 indicates that some deflation was occurring at this time. 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 and eroding. This situation appears to be largely caused by quarrying. Sand extraction has removed deep deposits of blown sand, exposing remnants of an old ground surface. This surface contains discreet concentrations of shell and bone and probable anthropogenic deposits. The only feature which could be clearly identified was a setting of small stones surrounding a bed of horizontal slabs, tentatively identified as a hearth. This measured 2m by 1m and was associated with organic soils containing a small amount of bone and shell. The entire area requires thorough survey and continued monitoring, since the ground surface and associated deposits, which may be of considerable date, are exposed and very vulnerable to erosion. ShoreUPDATE 11 May 2015 Nothing visible in the exposed coast edge at the time of the visit.

Location

344160.00
1042950.00
27700
59.2693558
-2.9813442

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Mae Sand, detail of coast edge, no archaeological deposits visible 11/05/2015 Mae Sand, detail of coast edge, no archaeological deposits visible training1
Mae Sand, detail of coast edge, no archaeological deposits visible
Mae Sand, general view of coast edge 11/05/2015 Mae Sand, general view of coast edge training1
Mae Sand, general view of coast edge
Mae Sand, general view of area of sand dunes 11/05/2015 Mae Sand, general view of area of sand dunes training1
Mae Sand, general view of area of sand dunes

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
2022 11/05/2015 training1
Site located? No
Description An examination of aerial photographs taken in 1948 indicates that some deflation was occurring at this time. 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 and eroding. This situation appears to be largely caused by quarrying. Sand extraction has removed deep deposits of blown sand, exposing remnants of an old ground surface. This surface contains discreet concentrations of shell and bone and probable anthropogenic deposits. The only feature which could be clearly identified was a setting of small stones surrounding a bed of horizontal slabs, tentatively identified as a hearth. This measured 2m by 1m and was associated with organic soils containing a small amount of bone and shell. The entire area requires thorough survey and continued monitoring, since the ground surface and associated deposits, which may be of considerable date, are exposed and very vulnerable to erosion. ShoreUPDATE 11 May 2015 Nothing visible in the exposed coast edge at the time of the visit.
Comments Reassign to priority 3

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