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Mains Of Murkle
Long Cist(S) (Early Medieval)
Site Name Mains Of Murkle
Classification Long Cist(S) (Early Medieval)
Canmore ID 8421
Site Number ND16NE 45
NGR ND 166 694
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8421
- Council Highland
- Parish Olrig
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND16NE 45 166 694
On a gently sloping terrace above Murkle Bay, ploughing of a previously fallow area revealed a large number (30+) of human burials. Those with discernible detail were in poorly built long slab cists with gravel/shingle/shell bases (no basal slabs). At least one grave seemed to have had a small upright slab at the head end. Cap slabs were only inches below the turf.
As this is only the most recent of a series of burials discovered in the area (see also ND16NE 25 and ND16NE 31 ), a single 'skeleton' was removed from the most clearly visible cist and analysed prior to dating. The bones came from more than one individual. The date is 640 +- 60bp (GU 2135).
N Fojut 1987.
