North Ronaldsay, Ancumtoun
Mound (Period Unknown)
Site Name North Ronaldsay, Ancumtoun
Classification Mound (Period Unknown)
Alternative Name(s) Parkhouse
Canmore ID 3662
Site Number HY75SE 15
NGR HY 76729 54909
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3662
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Cross And Burness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY75SE 15 7673 5491
A large, sandy, oval mound lies 200 yds SW of Parkhouse farm (HY 7679 5501) in the middle of a cultivated field about midway between the public road and the shore. It measures 140ft NW-SE by 115ft transversely, and is about 7ft high. Apart from its isolation and its conspicuousness, there is no indication that the mound is other than natural. Although the crest is broken, there is little trace of stone and none of kitchen-midden refuse or burnt material.
(RCAHM apply the description of this site to HY75NE 1)
RCAHMS MSS notebook (C S T Calder) 1928; RCAHMS 1946.
HY 7673 5491. Probably a consolidated sand dune.
Visited by OS (NKB) 20 July 1970.
Field Visit (August 1979)
As described by Calder. Summit has many hollows and
irregularities, it is not clear whether these are structures or
sand quarries; and extensive cover of nettles. The whole
strongly suggests an abandoned and sand-blown settlement mound or
farmstead tell.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Aug 79.
Note (1980)
Ancumtoun, North Ronaldsay HY 7673 5491 HY75SE 15
Big prominent oval mound some 2m high, sand-blown, but summit has many hollows and irregularities and a lush growth of nettles. Strongly suggests an abandoned settlement mound or tell.
RCAHMS 1980
(RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 51, No. 197 (the description applies, although the Inventory gives the wrong position and confuses the site with another); OR 194)
Orkney Smr Note
A large sandy oval mound in middle of a cultivated field
about midway between the public road and the shore. 140ft NW-SE
x 115ft x 7ft high. Apart from its isolation and
conspiciousness, no indication it is not natural. Crest broken
but little trace of stone, and no kitchen midden refuse or burnt
material. [R1]
Probably a consolidated sand dune. OS visit Jul 70.
Striking circular with a flat top. No stones or midden
visible but could be a broch with sandblow over. NoSAS 15
J Hedges Sep 77.
Information from Orkney SMR
