Papa Westray, King's Craig

Deposits, length as stated OS, have maximum thickness of

2.3m above the natural which itself is 1.7m above beach-top

level, giving overall height of 4m. Many heavy stone structures

including flagged floors; at two different levels slab-formed

drains run out. Much of the masonry is of beach stones. Near

bottom of deposit is rich midden layer with many shells and

animal bones. Two pieces of water-worn pumice were found in this

bottom level. The site is apparent on the clifftop as a broad

mound extending under the farm buildings of Whitehowe.

Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Jun 82.

King's Craig HY 4840 5062 HY45SE 14

The cliff, some 4m in height, which forms a headland at the farmstead of Whitehowe, is composed largely of settlement debris extending for some 26m along the coast. The archaeological deposits begin at 1.7m above beach level and are 2.3m thick, comprising shell and animal-bone middens interspersed with heavy stone structures including flagstone floors with slab-formed drains beneath them. On the clifftop the site is discernible as a sight, broad mound underlying the farm buildings. Some finds in Tankerness House Museum.

RCAHMS 1983, visited June 1982

(Marwick 1925, 40; RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 184, No. 525; OR 789).

Substantial archaeological deposits and structural remains are exposed in the coastal section around the headland at Whitehowe. The cliff stands up to 4m high and, of this, up to 2m is comprised of archaeological deposits. The exposure extends for about 30m. At the base of the section, glacial till is covered by a cultivation soil, which in turn is covered by a layer of blown sand. The earliest structural remains visible in the section are built over this layer of sand. They comprise a flagged surface, associated with up to three structures and a series of stone lined drains. The walls of the structures vary in construction; one is double faced with a hollow core, others appear to be revetted. The impression gained is that the structures are conjoined or closely associated. Layers of anthropogenic soils and midden-type deposits surround and fill in to the structures, and there is some evidence of a secondary phase of construction. Further deposits of shell midden and agricultural soils fill in to the uppermost structures and render the area level. Although the deposits exposed at this site are extensive, they are not capable of ready interpretation. The earliest remains relate to cultivation while later remains suggest a substantial settlement which was occupied over a long duration. At the abandonment of the settlement, the area appears to have been farmed once again. The farmstead which now occupies part of the site is of 18th-20th C date. The later structures visible in section are reminiscent of Viking or Norse buildings, but this cannot be coclusively demonstrated with the available evidence. Since this stage of activity occurs at an intermediate stage in the life of the site, it is probable that the ealier remains may be of prehistoric date. The remains have already been affected by coastal erosion and very vulnerable to further losses. It is very unlikely, given its physical circumsatance and extent, that this site can be provided with coastal defences and therefore it must be assessed, excavated or abandoned. As a first step, it is recommended that an assessment should be carried out as a matter of urgency to ascertain the extent, date and nature of the remains.

Moore and Wilson, 1998

Orkney Coastal Zone Assessment

ShoreUPDATE

As described. Soils, paving, walling and midden visible in section. Dumping of modern material over coast edge at north and south ends of site. The site is actively eroding and vulnerable.

Visited by Scotland's Coastal Heritage at Risk (SCHARP) 13 May 2015

HY 48770 52710 (Munkerhouse), HY 48400 50620 (White Howe); HY 49880 52950 (Cott) The objective of the fieldwork, 2 – 17 March 2018, was to assess the condition of the sites, record exposed areas of beach section and their environs and to assess the ongoing threats to the preservation of the sites. It also aimed to provide training to community volunteers in order to establish a core group of individuals with a skill set and methodology for the continued monitoring and recording of sites at risk from coastal erosion.

The fieldwork at each site has shown that there was a considerable quantity and range of archaeological features at risk of total loss from a combination of environmental pressures, including storm damage and weathering. The work was also used as a test-bed for an effective methodology for recording large sites of this type quickly, combining traditional site recording and survey methods with geo-rectified photogrammetry. The result is a 3D model which can be used as a baseline against which future erosion can be monitored.

Archive: NRHE

Funder: Historic Environment Scotland

Rick Barton – Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA)

(Source DES Volume 19