Bressay, Cruester

Cruester. This mound stands close to the beach about 50 yds S of the fishing station opposite the Holm of Cruester. Highest towards the NW, it falls away gradually to the S, where it is cut at the base by a slight ditch of recent construction. It covers an area roughly 65ft in diameter and rises at the N and NW to a height of about 5 ft 3 ins. Within the W. segment a small cell, carefully built on the beehive principle, and measuring some 5ft by 3ft 3 ins, was uncovered in the early spring of 1933, but its relationship to the mound itself could not be satisfactorily determined. There was no trace of an entrance passage, and the roofing of the little cell or chamber had been almost entirely demolished before its significance was realised. The chamber was found to be empty, but, as a cavity of this kind is most unusual in a burnt mound, it may be a later intrusion. A few sherds of rude steatitic pottery have been recovered from the mound. About 20 yds to the SE is a well, which now furnishes a water supply for the fishing station.

RCAHMS 1946, visited 12 July 1930.

At HU 4816 4234 there is a grass covered mound measuring about 22.0m in diameter by 2.0m in height. In the top there is a slight depression which may have been a minor excavation. Along the south edge where the mound has been eroded by the sea, burnt earth and stones are evident,among which is a possible short cist. No trace of steatite pottery nor beehive cells could be found and there is no evidence of the well mentioned by RCAHMS.

Surveyed at 1/2500

Visited by OS (RD) 9 September 1964.

H Moore and G Wilson 1999

Sample recovered for thermoluminescence dating for the Shetland Burnt Mounds dating programme.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

H Moore and G Wilson 2000

HU 4815 4231 A burnt mound with an integral structure at Cruester was originally excavated in 2000. The site lies on the coast and had been damaged by erosion. In 2008, under the auspices of a project entitled ‘Bronze Age Bressay’, the site was reopened and some additional excavation was carried out. The purpose of this work was to facilitate the removal of the stonework from the site in order to reconstruct it in a new location where it was not vulnerable to further erosion. The new excavation undertaken in June – July 2008 included an examination of the subfloor deposits and the surrounding mound. The demolition of the building provided the opportunity to re-examine the nature of the construction. The work was undertaken in conjunction with

local volunteers.

Archive: RCAHMS and SAT

Funder: Heritage Lottery Fund, Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Shetland Amenity Trust

H Moore and G Wilson (EASE Archaeology), 2008

HU 48907 41608 (reconstruction site) Bressay History Group, in partnership with The SCAPE Trust and Archaeology Scotland, rescued the core structures of the Cruester Bronze Age burnt mound (see HU44SE 8). The structures were transported to a new site next to the Bressay Heritage Centre at Leiraness, where it was rebuilt by professional restoration stonemasons. The professionals were

supported by local volunteers, both members of the Bressay History Group and others. During the project a programme of open days with re-enactments, demonstrations and site tours was run. There were also public lectures and schools visits. For more information see the project website at www.shorewatch.co.uk/cruester.

Funder: Heritage Lottery Fund, Shetland Islands Council, Highland and Islands Enterprise and Shetland Amenity Trust

Douglas Coutts (submitted on behalf of Bressay History Group, The SCAPE Trust, Archaeology Scotland), 2008