Archaeology Notes

Event ID 783938

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/783938

HY41NW 2 4074 1856.

(HY 406 186) Tumuli (NR)

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

A group of six mounds, 19ft to 31ft in diameter and 2ft to 4ft in height. The most southerly appears to have been opened.

RCAHMS 1946.

Six barrows, as described by the Commission. Four are as published by the OS: the other two are at HY 4074 1856 and HY 4075 1856.

Another, c.15.0m in diameter and c.0.6m high, is at HY 4077 1874, on a false crest.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS(RL) 13 June 1967.

HY 406 186 Topographic survey, geophysical survey and excavation was undertaken in June 1998. The two mounds which were investigated of this extensive group (NMRS HY41NW 2) were particularly badly damaged, one by rabbits, the other by cattle and rabbits. Two cists were exposed within a mound that had been almost levelled by rabbits, and cremation burials were recovered from both. The other larger mound was better preserved and had a more complex structure. A very substantial stone kerb had been built over a thick layer of burnt stones and burnt turves. The central cist was located but not excavated as it is not under threat.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

J Downes 1998