Archaeology Notes

Event ID 642537

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/642537

HU41SW 3 4072 1290

(HU 4070 1290) Brough (OE)

OS 6" map, Shetland, 2nd ed., (1903).

A broch, sometimes erroneously referred to as 'The Broken Brough', a name properly belonging to a mass of rock to the north.

The broch is now largely obscured by its own debris, which fills the interior and rises to about 10' or 12' on the outside. Although the entrance is not distinguishable the outer and inner faces of the wall can still be followed fairly well. These indicate an average thickness of some 14' and an over-all diameter of about 57' 6".

There are indications of out-buildings on the NW.

RCAHMS 1946, visited 1930.

A broch, generally as described and illustrated by RCAHMS. The entrance can be distinguished in the SW, and the majority of the outbuildings, visible as ground disturbance and upright slabs protruding through the turf, are also in the SW.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (NKB) 23rd May 1968.

HU 407 129 Investigations at Clevigarth Broch were carried out as part of the Old Scatness/Jarlshof Environs Project. A geophysical survey of approximately 2.4ha was carried out to identify any anomalies that might represent midden accumulations and extramural settlement on the lower slopes of the broch mound. No substantial midden accumulations were positively identified. Anomalies suggesting slight midden accumulation were investigated by two soil pits on the lower slopes (apron) of the mound. Both of these were found to contain a shallow sequence of midden-rich sediments which were sampled. The small apron formed by the lower slope of the broch mound showed signs of ard cultivation.

The survey beyond the broch mound showed some correspondence to the visible field boundaries. Three test pits within the field system indicated the possibility of an anthropogenic soil to the N of the broch. The field system to the S, which may well have pre-dated the broch, gave no strong indications of anthropogenically enhanced cultivated soils. Thin section work will clarify the situation.

Sponsors: HS, BP Operating Company, European Union (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund), SNH, Shetland Amenity Trust, Shetland Enterprise Company, Shetland Islands Council Charitable Trust, University of Bradford.

S J Dockrill, V E Turner, L D Brown 2003.