Extensive archaeological deposits exposed in the 100m+ coastal section are associated with a multi-period settlement. This site has been investigated over several seasons up to 1988. Interim results indicate that the earliest remains on the site date back to the Neolithic period; later Iron Age/Pictish remains, followed by Norse period structures well represented later on in the sequence. A large number of artifacts, including a Pictish symbol stone, were recovered during excavation and extensive palaeoenvironmental studies were undertaken. Deposits exposed in the section, which are up to 4m thick, include extensive deposits of midden material, structural remains and cultivation soils. The tell-like accumulation of deposits at this site shares similarities with what is currently known of several of the other 'farm mound' sites on Sanday, which may also be found to represent multiperiod settlements of very long duration. Ref.: Brogger, AW (1930) 'Den Norsk bosetningen pa Shetland-Orknoyene; Greig, S (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland (part II of Shetelig, H (ed) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland); RCAHMS (1946), appendix #2; RCAHMS (1980), #84; Hunter JR (1985) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Broch, symbol stone, grooved ware settlement, stone objects', DES (1985), 66; Hunter, JR (1987) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Neolithic, Iron Age, Pictish-Norse structures: grooved ware', DES (1987), 36; Hunter, JR (1988) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Multi-period site', DES (1988).
20/04/2014
As described.
Very extensive remains of dry stone structures and deeply stratified cultural deposits. At least 3 phases of activity recognisable from the section.
Although excavations have taken place at Pool, un-investigated deposits are actively eroding.
June 2018
As described
Location
361940.00
1037850.00
27700
59.2255402
-2.6685653
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
19/12/2019
June 2018: Main stretch of eroding section showing structures
training1
20/04/2014
South end of Pool in March 2016, looking N
training1
20/04/2014
South end of Pool in March 2016
training1
20/04/2014
Detail of structures
training1
20/04/2014
Detail of structures
training1
20/04/2014
Detail of structures
training1
20/04/2014
Detail of eroding structures
training1
20/04/2014
Closer view of section
training1
20/04/2014
View across bay to eroding section with stonework of possible harbour just visible in foreground, looking NE
training1
20/04/2014
View across the bay towards eroding section with ruinous farmstead in foreground, looking NE
training1
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
3318
19/12/2019
training1
Description
June 2018
As described
1691
20/04/2014
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
is well known
Description
Extensive archaeological deposits exposed in the 100m+ coastal section are associated with a multi-period settlement. This site has been investigated over several seasons up to 1988. Interim results indicate that the earliest remains on the site date back to the Neolithic period; later Iron Age/Pictish remains, followed by Norse period structures well represented later on in the sequence. A large number of artifacts, including a Pictish symbol stone, were recovered during excavation and extensive palaeoenvironmental studies were undertaken. Deposits exposed in the section, which are up to 4m thick, include extensive deposits of midden material, structural remains and cultivation soils. The tell-like accumulation of deposits at this site shares similarities with what is currently known of several of the other 'farm mound' sites on Sanday, which may also be found to represent multiperiod settlements of very long duration. Ref.: Brogger, AW (1930) 'Den Norsk bosetningen pa Shetland-Orknoyene; Greig, S (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland (part II of Shetelig, H (ed) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland); RCAHMS (1946), appendix #2; RCAHMS (1980), #84; Hunter JR (1985) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Broch, symbol stone, grooved ware settlement, stone objects', DES (1985), 66; Hunter, JR (1987) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Neolithic, Iron Age, Pictish-Norse structures: grooved ware', DES (1987), 36; Hunter, JR (1988) 'Sanday-Pool (Cross and Burness parish) Multi-period site', DES (1988).
20/04/2014
As described.
Very extensive remains of dry stone structures and deeply stratified cultural deposits. At least 3 phases of activity recognisable from the section.
Although excavations have taken place at Pool, un-investigated deposits are actively eroding.
Section suitable for low level aerial photography to generate structure from motion point cloud models of the coast edge and ortho-rectified photographs of the section face. This should be carried out regularly in order to monitor rate of erosion.
Regular visual inspection and photographic recording should be undertaken to monitor change, retrieve artefactual material and to alert the LA archaeologist if significant change occurs.
Comments
Ideal site for adoption by a local volunteer for monitoring.
March 2016:
Pool has been monitored by SCHARP volunteers and observed on regular site visits from 2013-16. In that time no significant erosion has taken place despite severe weather in all of those years that impacted other areas of coastline on Sanday.