Condition

3
Broch
Iron Age
918
SMR619
Shetland

Description

This broch has been bisected by coastal erosion, providing a natural section through the interior. The ragged wall butts and stone filled interior are clearly visible. To either side of the outer wall face there are indications of further structural remains and anthropogenic deposits. To the NE side, these remains are visible in an exposure measuring 15m in length by between 1m and 1.5m in height. To the W side, the exposure shows 20m of intermittent deposits up to 1m in height. The site was investigated in 1983 and1989 (Carter, McCullagh & MacSween, 1995). In addition to work undertaken on the broch, the remains of a stone-faced rampart and parching marks which appeared to represent a series of rectangular buildings, were recorded. Excavation of the broch was designed to investigate the nature of the deposits which were most threatened by coastal erosion. A transect taken across the entire width of the exposed deposits provided two sections for examination; the broch interior was not investigated. Anthropogenic deposits both pre- and post-dating the broch were identified. The conclusions of post-excavation analyses indicate continuous occupation or usage of the site from the mid-second millennium BC until at least the late first millennium AD. May 2014 The site is as described and generally stable and well vegetated. Grid pegs presumably from the excavation still in situ indicating that erosion is progressing very slowly. One area of exposed deposits to the south of the structure include peat ash and charcoal but this damage is limited to a very small area and overall erosion poses little threat to the site.

Location

440230.00
1111251.00
27700
59.8844223
-1.2830502

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Seaward edge of terrain and structures  on north side of broch 28/05/2014 Seaward edge of terrain and structures on north side of broch training1
Seaward edge of terrain and structures  on north side of broch
Seaward edge of terrain and structures  on north side of broch 28/05/2014 Seaward edge of terrain and structures on north side of broch training1
Seaward edge of terrain and structures  on north side of broch
Eroded interior of broch, looking northwest 28/05/2014 Eroded interior of broch, looking northwest training1
Eroded interior of broch, looking northwest
Section through broch wall on seaward (southeast) side, looking northwest 28/05/2014 Section through broch wall on seaward (southeast) side, looking northwest training1
Section through broch wall on seaward (southeast) side, looking northwest

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1653 28/05/2014 training1
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is well known; has local associations/history
Description This broch has been bisected by coastal erosion, providing a natural section through the interior. The ragged wall butts and stone filled interior are clearly visible. To either side of the outer wall face there are indications of further structural remains and anthropogenic deposits. To the NE side, these remains are visible in an exposure measuring 15m in length by between 1m and 1.5m in height. To the W side, the exposure shows 20m of intermittent deposits up to 1m in height. The site was investigated in 1983 and1989 (Carter, McCullagh & MacSween, 1995). In addition to work undertaken on the broch, the remains of a stone-faced rampart and parching marks which appeared to represent a series of rectangular buildings, were recorded. Excavation of the broch was designed to investigate the nature of the deposits which were most threatened by coastal erosion. A transect taken across the entire width of the exposed deposits provided two sections for examination; the broch interior was not investigated. Anthropogenic deposits both pre- and post-dating the broch were identified. The conclusions of post-excavation analyses indicate continuous occupation or usage of the site from the mid-second millennium BC until at least the late first millennium AD. May 2014 The site is as described and generally stable and well vegetated. Grid pegs presumably from the excavation still in situ indicating that erosion is progressing very slowly. One area of exposed deposits to the south of the structure include peat ash and charcoal but this damage is limited to a very small area and overall erosion poses little threat to the site.
None

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