Via
Cist (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Mound (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Via
Classification Cist (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Mound (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 1632
Site Number HY21NE 4
NGR HY 2601 1598
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1632
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Sandwick
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY21NE 4 2601 1598.
(HY 2601 1598) Tumulus {NR}
O.S.6"map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1903).
This mound was opened not long before 1839-41 'but nothing found in it but a parcel of large stones'. In 1880 the remains of a mound of stones stood on the south edge of a pool of water (possibly the result of the excavation) but this mound had disappeared before the RCAHMS visit in 1928.
RCAHMS 1946; New Statistical Account (NSA) 1845 (C Clouston); OS.25"map 1880.
No trace of the mound could be seen, in a sloping pasture field, and no further information could be obtained.
Visited by OS (NKB) 18 May 1966.
What is almost certainly the remains of a cist is visible at this location and may be the previously referred to 'parcel of large stones' seen in 1839-41. A visit by Mr M Howe during the spring of 2004 noted that stones were visible in the very boggy ground at the edge of a small pool.
Information via e-mail to RCAHMS from Mr M Howe, 29 April 2004
Project (September 2005 - December 2005)
HY 260 160 Gradiometry and resistance, combined with topographic survey, were undertaken between September and December 2005 over c 1ha, covering the Scheduled area known as the Stones of Via (HY21NE 3). The site comprises the remains of a prehistoric stone setting lying within the remnants of a ploughed-out enclosure. Interpretation of this monument is unclear, although it has been suggested that the stones are the remains of a severely damaged chambered cairn.
The data did not show any responses clearly associated with the Stones of Via, although the stones appear to lie on the southern edge of an area of increased magnetic response which may be archaeologically significant. Several anomalies were also detected in the gradiometer survey to the W of the stones, which may be related to the monument.
Both the gradiometer and resistance surveys show hints of the oval enclosure recorded on the 1st edition OS map; the responses are ephemeral, making it difficult to clearly categorise the anomalies as being due to a ditch or a bank. However, the topographic survey was able to record the presence of this enclosure, and would appear to suggest that the enclosure forms the boundary of a shallow bowl-shaped hollow, although whether this is natural or anthropogenic is unclear. The geophysical survey also located a clearly defined ring-ditch anomaly, c 6m in diameter, which correlates with the location of a ploughed-out burial mound (HY21NE 4).
What is clear from the survey, in particular in the resistance data, is damage to the buried archaeological deposits caused by later rig and furrow cultivation, and possibly modern ploughing.
Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
S Ovenden 2005
Resistivity (September 2005 - December 2005)
HY 260 160 Resistivity surveys were undertaken between September and December 2005 over c 1ha, covering the Scheduled area known as the Stones of Via (HY21NE 3).
Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
S Ovenden 2005
Magnetometry (September 2005 - December 2005)
HY 260 160 Gradiometry was undertaken between September and December 2005 over c 1ha, covering the Scheduled area known as the Stones of Via (HY21NE 3).
Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
S Ovenden 2005
