Lyking
Chapel (Medieval), Midden (Period Unknown), Pot (Neolithic)
Site Name Lyking
Classification Chapel (Medieval), Midden (Period Unknown), Pot (Neolithic)
Alternative Name(s) Loch Of Stenness
Canmore ID 1600
Site Number HY21NE 10
NGR HY 2707 1505
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1600
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Sandwick
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY21NE 10 2707 1505.
(HY 2707 1505) Chapel {NR} (Site of): Burial Ground {NR}
OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed., (1903).
This 'Supposed Site of an ancient chapel and burying place' lay, in 1880, within an unfenced rectilinear area of rough pasture 34m. E-W by 20m. N-S.
Name Book 1880; OS 25" map, (1880).
The remains of the alleged chapel and burial ground are situated on a flat shelf close by the Loch of Stenness, and consist of the turf-covered footings, 0.2m. high, of the S and W walls of the enclosure (the east side shows as a grassy ridge and the N side is conjectural), and an area of disturbed ground at HY 2707 1505 which probably indic- ates the former existence of a building. It is sub-oval in shape, approximately 10m. E-W by 5m transversely, and is oriented E to W. A large stone occupies the centre of the area. The tradition that this was once a chapel and burial ground is still known locally but no information as to the dedication was found.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 18 May 1966.
Field Walking (22 March 2018 - 29 April 2018)
HY 31905 12680 – Tormiston Farm (Field 138), HY 31810 12385 – Tormiston Farm (Field 139), HY 32710 13020 – Lower Hobbister Farm (Field 140), HY 32400 12900 – Lower Hobbister Farm (Field 141), HY 32530 12840 – Lower Hobbister Farm (Field 142), HY 27480 14990 – Lyking Farm (Field 143), HY 27245 15030 – Lyking Farm (Field 144), HY 26990 15295 – Lyking Farm (Field 145), HY 32020 13150 – Moa Farm (Field 146), HY 26970 12820 – Seatter Farm (Field 147), HY 26960 13020 – Seatter Farm (Field 148), HY 31185 16015 – Maesquoy Farm (Field 149), HY 25725 12770 – Near Quholmslie (Field 150), HY 31060 16345 – Maesquoy Farm (Field 151), HY 30905 12105 – Tormiston Farm (Field 152), HY 27100 14975 – Lyking Farm (Field 153)
A third season of fieldwalking was undertaken, 22 March – 29 April 2018, within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Buffer Zone, West Mainland. Seventeen fields were walked with volunteers using the same methodology (10m transects). A total of 53 fields have now been walked during the project.
Prehistoric activity was evident from low density scatters and isolated worked flint (eg Fields 138, 139, 144, 146, 150 and 153) and occasional course stone tools. Three previously unrecorded prehistoric settlements were identified (likely Neolithic). In Field 138, immediately SE of Maeshowe, an area of reddish soil upon a raised area in the eastern part of the field (cHY 32010 12690) was accompanied by a stone axehead. Field 152, 200m S of the Standing Stones of Stenness, contained a low broad stony mound with reddish soil along with a perforated stone and flaked stone bar at the NW end. Field 153, contained reddish brown midden-like soil, burnt stone, flint and a single sherd of prehistoric pottery (probably Grooved Ware).
In Field 110, a stone weight was found near an area of burnt stone (re-walked, noted before), and could represent a prehistoric / early medieval settlement. Blue glass beads (Field 139), a lead ‘spoon’ object (Field 144) and a quartzite hammerstone (Field 145) were highlights. General scatters of post-medieval and modern ceramics, glass etc were recovered. The finds have yet to be analysed in full.
Archive: UHI Archaeology Institute (currently)
Funder: Orkney Archaeology Society
Daniel Lee and Christopher Gee – Archaeology Institute, UHI
(Source DES Volume 19)
