Stones of Via Geophysical and Topographical survey

Date September 2005 - December 2005

Event ID 1161490

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1161490

HY 260 160 Gradiometry and resistance, combined with topographic survey, were undertaken between September and December 2005 over c 1ha, covering the Scheduled area known as the Stones of Via (HY21NE 3).

The site comprises the remains of a prehistoric stone setting lying within the remnants of a ploughed-out enclosure. Interpretation of this monument is unclear, although it has been suggested that the stones are the remains of a severely damaged chambered cairn.

The data did not show any responses clearly associated with the Stones of Via, although the stones appear to lie on the southern edge of an area of increased magnetic response which may be archaeologically significant.

Several anomalies were also detected in the gradiometer survey to the W of the stones, which may be related to the monument.

Both the gradiometer and resistance surveys show hints of the oval enclosure recorded on the 1st edition OS map; the responses are ephemeral, making it difficult to clearly categorise the anomalies as being due to a ditch or a bank. However, the topographic survey was able to record the presence of this enclosure, and would appear to suggest that the enclosure forms the boundary of a shallow bowl-shaped hollow, although whether this is natural or anthropogenic

is unclear.

The geophysical survey also located a clearly defined ring-ditch anomaly, c 6m in diameter, which correlates with the location of a ploughed-out burial mound (HY21NE 4).

What is clear from the survey, in particular in the resistance data, is damage to the buried archaeological deposits caused by later rig and furrow cultivation, and possibly modern ploughing.

Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and NMRS.

Sponsor: HS.

S Ovenden 2005