Balta
Building (Period Unassigned), Structure (Iron Age), Unidentified Pottery (Iron Age)
Site Name Balta
Classification Building (Period Unassigned), Structure (Iron Age), Unidentified Pottery (Iron Age)
Alternative Name(s) Balta Isle
Canmore ID 89
Site Number HP60NE 3
NGR HP 6591 0849
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/89
- Council Shetland Islands
- Parish Unst
- Former Region Shetland Islands Area
- Former District Shetland
- Former County Shetland
HP60NE 3 6591 0849
At HP 6592 0850 is a turf-covered stony mound c.10.0m diameter, c.0.8m high, with a hollowed centre. A tentative excavation in the S side has revealed walling, and traces of drystone walling can be seen on the shore on the W side of the mound where it has been eroded by the sea. The footings of a rectangular building, 9.0m by 4.5m, of indeterminate date, lie immediately to the SE.
The excavation was made by Mr V E Owers (Hamlet, Baltasound), who found several sherds of alleged Iron Age pottery with a heavy steatite content including part of a deep rimmed vessel; a ring or pendant of serpentine; a whorl; and two fragments of iron, one almost certainly a small knife or spearhead. These are still in his possession.
Visited by OS (R L) 30 April 1969
HP 6590 0849 White quartzite pebble of type known as 'painted pebbles'. Four distinct faces with dots on each. Found eroding from Iron Age site. ARC 1997.95.
Shetland Museum 1997
