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Rum, Bagh Na H-uamha
Cave (Prehistoric), Cist (Norse)(Possible), Midden (Prehistoric) - (Norse)(Possible), Gaming Piece (Bone)(Norse)
Site Name Rum, Bagh Na H-uamha
Classification Cave (Prehistoric), Cist (Norse)(Possible), Midden (Prehistoric) - (Norse)(Possible), Gaming Piece (Bone)(Norse)
Alternative Name(s) Rhum
Canmore ID 22197
Site Number NM49NW 1
NGR NM 4228 9741
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/22197
- Council Highland
- Parish Small Isles
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Lochaber
- Former County Inverness-shire
NM49NW 1 4228 9741.
A playing piece made of cetacean bone (now in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland [NMAS]) was found in a cave on the E side of the island of Rhum. It is 1 7/8" in diameter, 7/32" thick with interlaced ornament on one side.
Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1944
A cave at Bagh na h-Uamha, 25ft above high water mark, contains a hearth in which have been found bones of sheep, deer, horse, seal and sea birds, and large numbers of shell fish valves. A 13th c Norse draughtsman or playing piece of narwhal ivory was also found.
There is a Norse double-stone burial cist near the cave.
Isle of Rhum Nature Reserve Handbook 1970, 36
A shallow cave at NM 4228 9741 formed by an overhang of rock sheltering an uneven rocky floor about 9m in diameter. There is no trace of the hearth but midden material of shells and animal bones is exposed in soil deposits on the floor. There is no trace nor local knowledge of the alleged Norse cist.
Visited by OS (AA) 17 May 1972
In the 1940s what was described as a Norse cist was found to the NW of the township (NM49NW 4). The exact nature of the discovery and its location are unknown.
J A Love 1983; RCAHMS 1983.
NMS H.NS 92 (PSAS, 78 (1943-4), 139; J A Love 1983, cover illustration).
I Fisher 2001, 95.
Field Visit (May 1983)
Bagh na h-Uamha NM 422 974 NM49NW 1
Situated 7.5m above the shore about 180m ENE of the settlement NM49NW 4, there is a broad but shallow cave. Its floor is covered by a midden-deposit which contains marine shells, animal and bird bones, and pottery of Iron Age or later date. A 'Norse' playing-piece of cetacean bone (NMAS NS 92) is reported to have been found in this cave.
RCAHMS 1983, visited May 1983
