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Overbigging

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Enclosure (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Overbigging

Classification Enclosure (Period Unassigned)

Canmore ID 2126

Site Number HY31SW 39

NGR HY 31527 13173

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2126

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Digital Images

Oblique aerial view of Overbigging showing possible trackway, looking SW.
Oblique aerial view of Overbigging showing possible trackway, looking SW.Overbigging, HY31SW 39, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoGeneral oblique aerial view centred on the soilmarks of the enclosure at Overbigging with Maes Howe beyond, taken from the WNW.Overbigging, HY31SW 39, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoOverbigging, HY31SW 39, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoOblique aerial view centred on the soilmarks of a circular enclosure at Overbigging, taken from the W.Oblique aerial view centred on the soilmarks of a circular enclosure at Overbigging, taken from the SE.Oblique aerial view of Overbigging showing possible trackway, looking NNW.Oblique aerial view centred on the cropmark of a circular enclosure at Overbigging, taken from the NNW.Overbigging, HY31SW 39, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoOblique aerial view centred on the cropmark of a circular enclosure at Overbigging, taken from the SW.Oblique aerial view.Overbigging, HY31SW 39, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoOblique aerial view.General oblique aerial view centred on the soilmarks of the enclosure at Overbigging with Maes Howe beyond, taken from the WNW.Oblique aerial view centred on the cropmark of a circular enclosure at Overbigging, taken from the SE.

Administrative Areas

  • Council Orkney Islands
  • Parish Stenness
  • Former Region Orkney Islands Area
  • Former District Orkney
  • Former County Orkney

Archaeology Notes

HY31SW 39 HY 31527 13173

(HY 3150 1318) Crop mark of sub-circular enclosure measuring c.70.0m in diameter, with an (?) entrance gap in the SSE. Visible on air photograph (CUCAP see collections).

(Undated) information in OS archaeology records.

The site of this enclosure is in a grass field which has long been cultivated, and nothing is known of it locally. The crop mark straddles a low ridge running NNW-SSE with the gap approximately on the crest, and overlooks Maes Howe and Loch Harray. The only ground trace of it is to the W of the gap where c.35.0m of a slight curving ditch is faintly visible, measuring approximately 3.0m wide with its inner scarp more pronounced than its outer.

Visited by OS (AA) 25 June 1970.

Scheduled as Overbigging, enclosure.

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 1 March 2001.

World Heritage Area; Geophysical survey

N Card (OAT)

A second season of magnetometry survey was undertaken in and around the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage SIte. Over 30ha was surveyed, further clarifying the extent of known sites and locating many new ones. The enclosure, previously known only from aerial photographs was surveyed. The low level of magnetic response suggests that it was not a settlement site.

Report to be lodged with Orkney SMR and the NMRS.

Sponsors: HS, Orkney Islands Council, GSB (Bradford), Orkney Archaeology Trust.

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