Orkney Smr Note

Date September 1987

Event ID 620044

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Orkney Smr Note

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/620044

Bone handle of an implement, two whorls and a disc of

sandstone, portion of a vessel of steatite and part of a tubular

handle of an earthenware Porringer - from Howe. [R1]

The mound is often referred to as a broch but there is no

conclusive evidence of this. [R2]

A Norse glass linen-smoother, probably Viking, in the

possession of J G Marwick. [R3]

The Hillock of Howe is a burial mound in which were found a

Viking black glass linen-smoother and several other objects. [R4]

The Howe is a conspicuous mound, almost entirely turf-covered

and partly composed of burnt material. Partial excavation 'many

years ago' produced a considerable number of relics. A modern

cairn has been erected on the highest point of the mound as a

navigation mark. [R5]

There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that the Howe is

the remains of a broch. It measures about 40.0m in diameter and

is 4.5m high. OS visit Sept. 1964.

Completely excavated to ground level by North of Scotland

Archaeological Services; publication in progress by B Smith.

Remains of a Maeshowe-type chambered tomb were overlain by

(unrelated) broch with surrounding settlement; the broch was

preceded by a proto-broch structure, and occupation extended into

the early Pictish Period.

Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Sept. 1987