Yell, Sellafirth, Bayanne House

HU59NW 5 5195 9775.

(Area: HU 519 978 ) Remains of a possible settlement were exposed at a spot called the "Tafts" in the cultivated riggs above the brow of the cliff on the point of land west of the present house of Bayann (Beyan: HU 520 978) between the years 1833 and 1835.

When loose stones in the area were being removed for building purposes, many were found to resemble 'knocking stones' but with rectangular instead of circular cavities; 'while below others, which were placed in a circle, were found stone knives, some of which were of unusual shape, (so far as the Writer's memory goes in the case of one he saw) of a roughly triangular form with a small round hole perforated in one corner, the hole being evidently for a string to pass through. This specimen went afterwards to England.' (Information from Miss M B Jamieson 1st August 1883).

Two large quern stones, standing on their edges were also found and 'among the stones large quantities of ashes and a considerable number of human bones were found and a large bank of shells has since been laid open by the inroads of the sea at the same spot.

' Some of the stones, including some of the 'knocking stones', were used in the construction of a stone fish- drying beach below the banks on the east side of the Burn of Leogie. Others were used to build the new farm-house above.

J T Irvine 1885.

'The Tafts' is the local name for a small area of ground beside the coast at HU 519 978. At HU 5196 9779, where the coast has been eroded, small quantities of midden material and indeterminate traces of wall footings, were noted at the time of investigation. Apart from this there is no trace of this alleged settlement.

Visited by OS(RL) 12th May 1969.

HU 519 977. A short strech of walling protruding from a low cliff near to Bayanne House suggested the presence of an eroding structure of some antiquity. An archaeological assessment of the section face and inland deposits was carried out in May-June 1995. Investigation of the section revealed the remains of a domestic structure, overlain by domestic debris and a later wall. A quantity of artefacts were recovered and typologically dated to the Iron Age period. Test pitting inland indicated the presence of a further structure of unknown date.

Sponsor: Shetland Amenity Trust.

Environmental and Archaeological Services (EASE) 1995.

HU 519 977 An ongoing programme of excavation on this coastally eroding site revealed the remains of a fragmentary structure and shell midden of probable Iron Age date. Beneath this structure, earlier walls appear to represent part of a substantial cellular building and a byre area. These were not completely uncovered during this season. A geophysical survey and further trial trenching indicated the presence of adjacent structures and agricultural activity. A quantity of stone artefacts and pottery were recovered, along with worked bone and well-preserved midden deposits.

Sponsors: Historic Scotland, Shetland Amenity Trust

G Wilson and H Moore 1996

HU 519 977 Two previous seasons of geophysical survey and excavation at this site had indicated the presence of several structures immediately adjacent to the cliff edge (Wilson and Moore 1996). From the outset it was apparent that while part of the site had already eroded away, the remainder was vulnerable but sufficiently well-preserved and substantial to warrant further investigation.

The final season of excavation uncovered four structural units presently thought to span the mid-1st millennium BC to the mid-1st millennium AD. The earliest, Structure A, was represented by an arc of post-holes associated with a series of drains and pits. It was not entirely excavated. Ard marks found adjacent to this structure indicate agricultural activity which may be of contemporary date.

Structure B (partially eroded) was sub-circular with thick rubble and stone walls; it measured c 8m in diameter. It was associated with a flagged yard and a field bank. A series of pits and drains were cut into the floor of this structure and a stone-capped drain ran parallel to its external walls. This structure was refurbished on several occasions. It yielded a large quantity of stone agricultural implements including mattock blades, ard points, knives and digging tools. Several steatite and ceramic vessels were found in associated refuse deposits. Following abandonment, this structure appears to have been deliberately backfilled with soil. Deposits of domestic refuse, containing a large amount of animal bone, were deposited into the yard area to a depth of 1.5m.

The next phase of occupation was centred on a substantial oval stone building (Structure C) which was constructed within a large pit. The internal dimensions of this structure measured 7 x 5m; the walls survived to c 1m high with an entrance to the S side. It was set back slightly further from cliff edge than its predecessor and was not, therefore, as badly affected by coastal erosion. Whilst its revetted walling and semi-subterranean setting are reminiscent of wheelhouse construction, the structure at Bayanne did not have wall piers, although it was radially divided, in later times at least. This structure underwent several renovations, including the elongation and elaboration of its entrance area. Roughly built internal divisions were added during the final phase of use; one pier contained a pierced stone which may have served as a tethering post for an animal. The floor of this structure was eroded through wear and the majority of the deposits which covered the interior were related to its abandonment. These deposits were well-stratified and included discrete shell middens, domestic refuse and rubble dumps.

The interior of Structure C was finally covered with deposits of rubble. This may have been carried out in preparation for the construction of a later 'figure-of-eight' house (Structure D). This building consisted of large orthostats set into the underlying rubble deposits and probably backed by banks of domestic midden. It was partially paved and contained a series of four consecutive hearths. This structure was refurbished at least once, with floor deposits being sealed by secondary paving. Artefacts found in association with this structure include sherds of wheel-thrown burnished ware, a decorated rotary quern and quantities of bone, shell and coarse pot. The remnants of a partially eroded structure (Structure E), found immediately adjacent to the cliff, was probably of similar construction and may be contemporary in date.

Sponsors: Historic Scotland, Shetland Amenity Trust.

G Wilson and H Moore 1997