Archaeology Notes

Event ID 646016

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/646016

HY55SW 1 5091 5183.

(HY 5091 5183) Brough (NR) (Site of) (NAT).

O.S.6"map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1900).

A Maes-Howe-type chambered cairn excavated by Thomas in 1849,(F W L Thomas 1852), after which it deteriorated badly until it was taken into guardianship in 1929 and roofed in concrete. The whole cairn has been turfed over to preserve it. At the time of excavation the mound was about 115' long NE-SW, about 55' wide and about 10' high, composed of loose stones and partly turf-covered. A wall 2' to 3' high which was presumed to encircle the whole cairn was traced about 6' within the apparent edge of the cairn at the entrance. Some of the stones of the chamber bear pecked decoration. The floor was of clay ovelaid with white sand.

A S Henshall 1963; RCAHMS 1946; G Petrie 1859; 1866 D Wilson 1863.

As described and planned by Henshall.

Re-surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS(NKB) 1 July 1970.