Condition

3
Anthropogenic deposits
296981
Orkney

Description

(i) At a distance of some 200m from Knap of Howar there is a coastal exposure containing anthropogenic deposits. The exposure extends for 10m and is up to 0.25m deep. The deposits contain inclusions of limpet, oyster and razor shell along with fish and mammal bone and whale bone. They are covered by up to 0.35m of topsoil and turf and cover till. There are no structures visible either in the section or further inland. (ii) At about 40m further south from (i) there is a second exposure. Here, there is a slight mound immediately behind the coast edge. The mound measures 15m in diameter and contains horizontally-set stones in a loamy soil, with inclusions of pumice. These deposits lie beneath 0.35m of blown sand and topsoil cover glacial till. Both exposures indicate the presence of more extensive archaeological remains and further assessment is required. 13 May 2015 As described.
As described. Post-medieval material eroding from section 10-20m to north (on north side of field wall) associated with stonework.

Location

348290.00
1051630.00
27700
59.3478203
-2.9109857

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Coast edge and deposits in section 16/07/2022 Coast edge and deposits in section Ellie
Coast edge and deposits in section
Shell midden in section 16/07/2022 Shell midden in section Ellie
Shell midden in section
Stonework and post-medieval material eroding from under the turf 16/07/2022 Stonework and post-medieval material eroding from under the turf Ellie
Stonework and post-medieval material eroding from under the turf
General view of coast edge 16/07/2022 General view of coast edge Ellie
General view of coast edge
Holland view of the coast edge 13/05/2015 Holland view of the coast edge training1
Holland view of the coast edge
Holland, mound (ii) and stones exposed in section 13/05/2015 Holland, mound (ii) and stones exposed in section training1
Holland, mound (ii) and stones exposed in section
Holland, shell midden in section 13/05/2015 Holland, shell midden in section training1
Holland, shell midden in section

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
4023 16/07/2022 Ellie
Description As described. Post-medieval material eroding from section 10-20m to north (on north side of field wall) associated with stonework.
2037 13/05/2015 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Description (i) At a distance of some 200m from Knap of Howar there is a coastal exposure containing anthropogenic deposits. The exposure extends for 10m and is up to 0.25m deep. The deposits contain inclusions of limpet, oyster and razor shell along with fish and mammal bone and whale bone. They are covered by up to 0.35m of topsoil and turf and cover till. There are no structures visible either in the section or further inland. (ii) At about 40m further south from (i) there is a second exposure. Here, there is a slight mound immediately behind the coast edge. The mound measures 15m in diameter and contains horizontally-set stones in a loamy soil, with inclusions of pumice. These deposits lie beneath 0.35m of blown sand and topsoil cover glacial till. Both exposures indicate the presence of more extensive archaeological remains and further assessment is required. 13 May 2015 As described.
Reassign priority 3

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