Condition

2
Chapel, broch
Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age
2819
Orkney

Description

A large, amorphous mound measures 25m in diameter and stands up to 2m high. The sides of the mound are pitted and structural remains are revealed both in the side of the mound and in a coastal exposure to the seaward side. Structures (i) and (ii) are set into a mound which appears to predate them. A short exposure in the seaward side of the mound reveals stony midden deposits with peat ash and inclusions of bone, shell, charcoal and worked whalebone. It would appear that these deposits derive from an earlier period of settlement, possibly associated with structure (iii). (i) To the south side of the mound a rectangular structure may be the chapel which is alleged to have stood on this site. It measures 7m by 3.5m internally and is defined by coursed walling which protruded from beneath a turf covering. Inside, there is a central division formed by an upright slab set at 90 degrees to the inner wall face. (ii) To the west side of the mound there is a length of substantial walling which is visible for almost 10m and stands to at least 0.3m high. It may form an outer wall face to the chapel (i) or part of an associated enclosure wall. (iii) To the northwest side of the mound an oval depression appears to form the interior of a structure. There is some stone visible to the sides of this depression which may be walling. This putative structure measures 5m wide by 6m long. This site is very vulnerable to further losses and requires thorough assessment as soon as possible. 11 May 2015 Site as described, structural remains visible in coast edge include drystone walling, slabbed paving and upright orthostats. Rescue excavation, EASE Archaeology 2000.

Location

349980.00
1040080.00
27700
59.2443161
-2.8785958

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Peterkirk Broch, showing structural stone visible on surface of mound in relation to coast edge 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, showing structural stone visible on surface of mound in relation to coast edge training1
Peterkirk Broch, showing structural stone visible on surface of mound in relation to coast edge
Peterkirk Broch, showing upright slabs visible on surface of mound behind coast edge 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, showing upright slabs visible on surface of mound behind coast edge training1
Peterkirk Broch, showing upright slabs visible on surface of mound behind coast edge
Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section training1
Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section
Peterkirk Broch, exposed walling on top of mound in relation to exposed stonework in coast edge 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, exposed walling on top of mound in relation to exposed stonework in coast edge training1
Peterkirk Broch, exposed walling on top of mound in relation to exposed stonework in coast edge
Peterkirk Broch, walling exposed in coast edge 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, walling exposed in coast edge training1
Peterkirk Broch, walling exposed in coast edge
Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section training1
Peterkirk Broch, general view of structural features in exposed coastal section
Peterkirk Broch, structural stone visible in exposed section on south side of mound 11/05/2015 Peterkirk Broch, structural stone visible in exposed section on south side of mound training1
Peterkirk Broch, structural stone visible in exposed section on south side of mound
Peterkirk stone in section at coast edge 11/05/2015 Peterkirk stone in section at coast edge training1
Peterkirk stone in section at coast edge

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