Condition

1
Mound & coastal exposure
Prehistoric
306723
Orkney

Description

(i) A grassy mound, 15m in diameter and 1.5m high, is located some 20m from the coast edge. (ii) On the coast, archaeological deposits have been exposed in section by coastal erosion. The erosion face extends for 16m and is up to 1.3m deep. A concentration of horizontally-set slabs towards the base of the section, which cover an OGS, may represent a surface. To the north of this, fragments of a structure are associated with an anthropogenic soil, containing charcoal and peatash. Further north again, a probable heath setting is exposed in section; the soil deposits contain inclusions of peatash and burnt bone. 21/04/2014 Dry stone structural remains extend over a 20m stretch of coast edge. These comprise from the north: a mound or bank with a stone core, possibly a section through a wall; a stretch of concentrated stone, mush of it horizontally laid, possible representing further walling; and what appears to be a rectangular cut possibly lined and filled with stone with evidence of in situ burning. The burnt area also contains frequent nodules of iron. Iron pan was observed in other parts of the section, so this could be naturally precipitated iron pan. However, the concentration in the burnt area could indicate it is is metal working debris.

Location

362514.00
1039285.00
27700
59.2384758
-2.6587582

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Detail of rectangular feature with burning 21/04/2014 Detail of rectangular feature with burning training1
Detail of rectangular feature with burning
Detail of section through possible wall, north end of section 21/04/2014 Detail of section through possible wall, north end of section training1
Detail of section through possible wall, north end of section
Overview of section, looking east 21/04/2014 Overview of section, looking east training1
Overview of section, looking east
Showing north end of exposure in relation to end of modern field boundary wall, looking northeast 21/04/2014 Showing north end of exposure in relation to end of modern field boundary wall, looking northeast training1
Showing north end of exposure in relation to end of modern field boundary wall, looking northeast
General situaltion of  coastal exposure, looking north 21/04/2014 General situaltion of coastal exposure, looking north training1
General situaltion of  coastal exposure, looking north

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1687 21/04/2014 training1
Tidal state Mid
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 (i) A grassy mound, 15m in diameter and 1.5m high, is located some 20m from the coast edge. (ii) On the coast, archaeological deposits have been exposed in section by coastal erosion. The erosion face extends for 16m and is up to 1.3m deep. A concentration of horizontally-set slabs towards the base of the section, which cover an OGS, may represent a surface. To the north of this, fragments of a structure are associated with an anthropogenic soil, containing charcoal and peatash. Further north again, a probable heath setting is exposed in section; the soil deposits contain inclusions of peatash and burnt bone. 21/04/2014 Dry stone structural remains extend over a 20m stretch of coast edge. These comprise from the north: a mound or bank with a stone core, possibly a section through a wall; a stretch of concentrated stone, mush of it horizontally laid, possible representing further walling; and what appears to be a rectangular cut possibly lined and filled with stone with evidence of in situ burning. The burnt area also contains frequent nodules of iron. Iron pan was observed in other parts of the section, so this could be naturally precipitated iron pan. However, the concentration in the burnt area could indicate it is is metal working debris.
Clean, record and sample for dating and for evidence of metal working activity. These remains are very possibly related to earthwork banks, enclosures and walling in the vicinity. Sites: 12773, 12774 and 6769. Survey all features and look at their relationship. Reassign priority 1
Comments Sanday Archaeology Group Project?

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