Stronsay, Wart Of Kirbister
Chambered Barrow (Neolithic)
Site Name Stronsay, Wart Of Kirbister
Classification Chambered Barrow (Neolithic)
Alternative Name(s) Wart Of Kirbuster
Canmore ID 3381
Site Number HY62SE 8
NGR HY 6828 2385
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3381
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stronsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY62SE 8 6828 2385.
(Area: HY 684 238) A mound, beneath which a chambered structure was discovered about 1925, lies about 250 yds east of the farm-house of Kirbister, and is known locally as the 'Wart of Kirbister'.
Discovered when the wheel of a reaping-machine struck against a block of stone, the removal of which revealed a large carefully built chamber. One of the farm-workers, who entered the chamber described it as being of rectangular form and about 6' high and lying approximately north-south. Passages opened off to east and west, but these he did not explore.
A clay vessel on the floor of the chamber was inadvertently broken but when entire must have been 6" to 7" in height and the same across the mouth. A portion was secured for Kirkwall Museum; but a perforated stone hammer picked up in the adjoining field has been lost.
RCAHMS 1946, visited 1928.
The 'Wart of Kirbuster', a ploughed down, amorphous rise is located at HY 6828 2385. There is now no trace of built structures.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 17 July 1970.
What Marwick described as a huge mound is now a ploughed-down rise with no trace of structures. About 1925 an underground chamber and some passages were discovered; pottery finds made at this time are in Tankerness House Museum (Nos.126,238)
H Marwick 1927; RCAHMS 1984, visited July 1979.
