Condition

2
Coastal exposure
Early Medieval, Medieval
306701
Orkney

Description

Three fragments of walling are exposed in a coastal section along Ouse Point: a narrow strip of land which extends between Kettletoft Bay and its inner bay, the Peerie Sea. The walling is coursed and stands up to 0.5m/5 courses high. Two of the wall fragments, which protrude from the section face at oblique angles, appear to represent the side and end walls of a rectangular structure with the corner already destroyed by the sea. The third fragment of walling protrudes at a right angle from the section and may be part of an internal dividing wall. On this assumption, the building measures at least 20m in length. Floor levels are suggested by successive layers of flat slabs, interspersed with grey clay and fine gravel. Associated soil deposits contain inclusions of animal bone, shell and mortar. The possible date range for this structure ranges from the Norse to post-medieval periods. Sections of the wall are being washed out. In 2012 4 large magnetite ore lumps found falling out of wall back face. May be boat noust to south. Outline of rectangular building visible as earthworks above ground. Three patches of stonework visible in the section. The westernmost area is all that remains of the north wall, the rest of the north elevation has been eroded out. The middle and eastern areas of stone possibly represent an internal wall and the east wall. All stand to around 0.5m high and around 5-6 courses are visible, with clay bonding. CP- site visited with 'Kirkhall' after she found several lumps of magnetite on the foreshore in the general vicinity. More lumps identified on the site. These immediately underlie turf and overlie the uppermost remains of a wall. The landward side of the site was very overgrown and hard to interpret.

Location

367149.00
1039479.00
27700
59.2406044
-2.5775561

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
August 2018: possible floor levels in eroding coast edge 03/08/2018 August 2018: possible floor levels in eroding coast edge joannahambly
August 2018: possible floor levels in eroding coast edge
August 2018: general view of coast edge showing new poles on top of site 03/08/2018 August 2018: general view of coast edge showing new poles on top of site joannahambly
August 2018: general view of coast edge showing new poles on top of site
August 2018: Stonework visible in coast edge 03/08/2018 August 2018: Stonework visible in coast edge joannahambly
August 2018: Stonework visible in coast edge
Site in March 2016, looking SW 26/05/2013 Site in March 2016, looking SW joannahambly
Site in March 2016, looking SW
behind site 25/04/2013 behind site kirkhall
behind site
ouse wide 25/04/2013 ouse wide kirkhall
ouse wide
ouse long 25/04/2013 ouse long kirkhall
ouse long
Coastal exposure. Lumps of magnetite are located immediately to right of trowel. 26/08/2013 Coastal exposure. Lumps of magnetite are located immediately to right of trowel. cparker
Coastal exposure. Lumps of magnetite are located immediately to right of trowel.
Panorama photo3 26/08/2013 Panorama photo3 cparker
Panorama photo3
panorama photo 2 26/08/2013 panorama photo 2 cparker
panorama photo 2
General view, panorama of coastal exposure with photo 2 and 3. 26/05/2013 General view, panorama of coastal exposure with photo 2 and 3. cparker
General view, panorama of coastal exposure with photo 2 and 3.

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3339 03/08/2018 EllieSCHARP
Description ShoreUPDATE August 2018 Largely as described Section appears vegetated and generally stable. Recently erected electricity pylons have been inserted into the structure in the hinterland immediately behind the coast edge. This has likely compromised archaeological remains
1225 26/05/2013 cparker
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Threats none
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge don't know
Description Three fragments of walling are exposed in a coastal section along Ouse Point: a narrow strip of land which extends between Kettletoft Bay and its inner bay, the Peerie Sea. The walling is coursed and stands up to 0.5m/5 courses high. Two of the wall fragments, which protrude from the section face at oblique angles, appear to represent the side and end walls of a rectangular structure with the corner already destroyed by the sea. The third fragment of walling protrudes at a right angle from the section and may be part of an internal dividing wall. On this assumption, the building measures at least 20m in length. Floor levels are suggested by successive layers of flat slabs, interspersed with grey clay and fine gravel. Associated soil deposits contain inclusions of animal bone, shell and mortar. The possible date range for this structure ranges from the Norse to post-medieval periods. Sections of the wall are being washed out. In 2012 4 large magnetite ore lumps found falling out of wall back face. May be boat noust to south. Outline of rectangular building visible as earthworks above ground. Three patches of stonework visible in the section. The westernmost area is all that remains of the north wall, the rest of the north elevation has been eroded out. The middle and eastern areas of stone possibly represent an internal wall and the east wall. All stand to around 0.5m high and around 5-6 courses are visible, with clay bonding. CP- site visited with 'Kirkhall' after she found several lumps of magnetite on the foreshore in the general vicinity. More lumps identified on the site. These immediately underlie turf and overlie the uppermost remains of a wall. The landward side of the site was very overgrown and hard to interpret.
Geophysical survey, plane table survey when vegetation dies back. Further investigation into the significance of the occurrence of magnetite.
933 25/04/2013 kirkhall
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Threats none
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; vehicular access; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description Three fragments of walling are exposed in a coastal section along Ouse Point: a narrow strip of land which extends between Kettletoft Bay and its inner bay, the Peerie Sea. The walling is coursed and stands up to 0.5m/5 courses high. Two of the wall fragments, which protrude from the section face at oblique angles, appear to represent the side and end walls of a rectangular structure with the corner already destroyed by the sea. The third fragment of walling protrudes at a right angle from the section and may be part of an internal dividing wall. On this assumption, the building measures at least 20m in length. Floor levels are suggested by successive layers of flat slabs, interspersed with grey clay and fine gravel. Associated soil deposits contain inclusions of animal bone, shell and mortar. The possible date range for this structure ranges from the Norse to post-medieval periods. Sections of the wall are being washed out. In 2012 4 large magnetite ore lumps found falling out of wall back face. May be boat noust to south.
Survey to establish extent of site. Sampling.
Comments This is a rapidly eroding vulnerable site, despite being in a sheltered inner sea area.
932 24/04/2013 EllieSCHARP
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats animal burrows
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Three fragments of walling are exposed in a coastal section along Ouse Point: a narrow strip of land which extends between Kettletoft Bay and its inner bay, the Peerie Sea. The walling is coursed and stands up to 0.5m/5 courses high. Two of the wall fragments, which protrude from the section face at oblique angles, appear to represent the side and end walls of a rectangular structure with the corner already destroyed by the sea. The third fragment of walling protrudes at a right angle from the section and may be part of an internal dividing wall. On this assumption, the building measures at least 20m in length. Floor levels are suggested by successive layers of flat slabs, interspersed with grey clay and fine gravel. Associated soil deposits contain inclusions of animal bone, shell and mortar. The possible date range for this structure ranges from the Norse to post-medieval periods.
Comments Outline of rectangular building visible as earthworks above ground. Three patches of stonework visible in the section. The westernmost area is all that remains of the north wall, the rest of the north elevation has been eroded out. The middle and eastern areas of stone possibly represent an internal wall and the east wall. All stand to around 0.5m high and around 5-6 courses are visible, with clay bonding.

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