Condition

2
Settlement
Prehistoric
927
SMR744
Shetland

Description

Midden deposits and artefacts were uncovered in the coastal section near the Church and Manse at Mail (see SM21). The finds were made in the last century by the Rev. G. Clarke. They included deposits containing burnt bone, shell and carbonised grain and steatite vessels and a quernstone. While the cliff face is now partially covered with rough vegetation and recently dumped refuse, deep deposits of cultivation soil are visible in the eroding section. These deposits contain inclusions of shell and bone and, together with the deposits and artefacts recorded in the past, suggest the presence of a prehistoric or early historic settlement site. 27/05/14 Approximately 150m of eroding sand section long the Sands of Mail below the Free Church, manse and cottage. Around 3m of blown sand overlie a continuous layer of reddish brown sandy clay and midden comprised of peat ash and organic material, containing frequent charcoal, shell (mainly limpet and winkle) animal bone fragments, fire-cracked stone and angular quartz fragments. Occasional coarse prehistoric pottery can be seen, including a 30cm diameter concave bowl fragment which appears to line a depression or cut in the underlying natural till. This is located at the far eastern end of the eroding section. The thickness of the midden deposits varies from 0.6m to 1m. Below the Free Church and the manse, the midden deposits form 2 distinct layers separated by sandier deposits. Eastwards from the manse, the upper layer is not visible and only the lower layer extends to below the cottage where it too becomes obscured in slumped deposits. Towards the west end of the section towards the stream and more or less below the Free Church, the bedrock rises by around 1.5m to form a low platform. Upon this area of higher bedrock is an approximate 18m length of boulder sized stone associated with very thick midden deposits. Some of these boulders are nearly 1m in diametre. Two fragments of walling are identifiable, possibly aligned ENE-WSW. Archaeological deposits rest directly upon the surface of the till. No intervening buried soils, sand etc were visible. Update 2018 Now behind rock armour coastal defence constructed to protect nearby properties

Location

442950.00
1127920.00
27700
60.0338058
-1.2310015

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Detail of large pot fragment at base of eastern end of section 27/05/2014 Detail of large pot fragment at base of eastern end of section training1
Detail of large pot fragment at base of eastern end of section
Closer view of walling 27/05/2014 Closer view of walling training1
Closer view of walling
Structural remains, west end of seciton 27/05/2014 Structural remains, west end of seciton training1
Structural remains, west end of seciton
Fragment of wall in west end of section 27/05/2014 Fragment of wall in west end of section training1
Fragment of wall in west end of section
General view of eastern part of section showing where upper midden layer ceases 27/05/2014 General view of eastern part of section showing where upper midden layer ceases training1
General view of eastern part of section showing where upper midden layer ceases
Double layer of midden deposits east of structure 27/05/2014 Double layer of midden deposits east of structure training1
Double layer of midden deposits east of structure
general view of western end of section showing stone structures on bedrock rise 27/05/2014 general view of western end of section showing stone structures on bedrock rise training1
general view of western end of section showing stone structures on bedrock rise

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3312 19/12/2019 training1
Site located? No
Description Update 2018 Now behind rock armour coastal defence constructed to protect nearby properties
1659 27/05/2014 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 Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Midden deposits and artefacts were uncovered in the coastal section near the Church and Manse at Mail (see SM21). The finds were made in the last century by the Rev. G. Clarke. They included deposits containing burnt bone, shell and carbonised grain and steatite vessels and a quernstone. While the cliff face is now partially covered with rough vegetation and recently dumped refuse, deep deposits of cultivation soil are visible in the eroding section. These deposits contain inclusions of shell and bone and, together with the deposits and artefacts recorded in the past, suggest the presence of a prehistoric or early historic settlement site. 27/05/14 Approximately 150m of eroding sand section long the Sands of Mail below the Free Church, manse and cottage. Around 3m of blown sand overlie a continuous layer of reddish brown sandy clay and midden comprised of peat ash and organic material, containing frequent charcoal, shell (mainly limpet and winkle) animal bone fragments, fire-cracked stone and angular quartz fragments. Occasional coarse prehistoric pottery can be seen, including a 30cm diameter concave bowl fragment which appears to line a depression or cut in the underlying natural till. This is located at the far eastern end of the eroding section. The thickness of the midden deposits varies from 0.6m to 1m. Below the Free Church and the manse, the midden deposits form 2 distinct layers separated by sandier deposits. Eastwards from the manse, the upper layer is not visible and only the lower layer extends to below the cottage where it too becomes obscured in slumped deposits. Towards the west end of the section towards the stream and more or less below the Free Church, the bedrock rises by around 1.5m to form a low platform. Upon this area of higher bedrock is an approximate 18m length of boulder sized stone associated with very thick midden deposits. Some of these boulders are nearly 1m in diametre. Two fragments of walling are identifiable, possibly aligned ENE-WSW. Archaeological deposits rest directly upon the surface of the till. No intervening buried soils, sand etc were visible.
Urgent rapid recording of the section, sampling for dating evidence and assessment of significance.
Comments This site, like that of Channerwick was first exposed in the storms and easterly gales of winter 2012/13, and again in 2013/14. Priority 1* recommended on basis of field visit; soon afterwards coastal defence was built at this site. Reassign to priority 2 status to highlight site's archaeological significance for any future coastal defence works.

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