Condition

3
Mound & coastal exposure
Early Medieval, Medieval
313944
Orkney

Description

An large 'farm mound' which is located immediately by the coast edge, has been eroded in places by the sea to reveal substantial structural remains. The mound measures some 50m in diameter and stands up to 3m high. Archaeological deposits are visible in the erosion face for over 120m, but the most substantial deposits are contained within a 15m long section to the south of the area. Here, fragments of coursed drystone walling stands up to 0.75m or 8 courses high; two stone-lined drains are also present. The walling runs parallel to the section face and appears to represent part of a rectangular structure which was built on sloping ground, to one side of a midden heap. The soils which lie beneath the base of the wall are highly organic and contain inclusions of shell, bone, peatash and charcoal. Traces of later buildings are suggested by further concentrations of slabs and blocks to the south. Overall, the visible remains indicate that the site was occupied over a long period of time; the exposed structural remains may be of Viking/Norse date. ShoreUPDATE 17 May 2015 Generally as described. One stretch of walling is currently visible, no midden deposits were seen. A stone structure which may be a drain is exposed to the south. Most of the slope is vegetated or obscured by modern dumping.

Location

372300.00
1042410.00
27700
59.2672920
-2.4876506

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Exposure showing wall in 2017 18/05/2015 Exposure showing wall in 2017 joannahambly
Exposure showing wall in 2017
Newark general view of the coast edge in the area 18/05/2015 Newark general view of the coast edge in the area training1
Newark general view of the coast edge in the area
Newark possible stone lined drain 18/05/2015 Newark possible stone lined drain training1
Newark possible stone lined drain
Newark showing the current building and modern dumping 18/05/2015 Newark showing the current building and modern dumping training1
Newark showing the current building and modern dumping
Newark, possible field boundary wall visible in section 18/05/2015 Newark, possible field boundary wall visible in section training1
Newark, possible field boundary wall visible in section
Newark, wall visible in section 18/05/2015 Newark, wall visible in section training1
Newark, wall visible in section
Newark general view of the coast edge in the area 18/05/2015 Newark general view of the coast edge in the area training1
Newark general view of the coast edge in the area

Submitted updates

No updates found

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