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Oyce Of Isbister
Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Burnt Mound(S) (Prehistoric), Cist (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Oyce Of Isbister
Classification Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Burnt Mound(S) (Prehistoric), Cist (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Northwald
Canmore ID 1997
Site Number HY31NE 8
NGR HY 3902 1802
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1997
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Evie And Rendall
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY31NE 8 3902 1802.
(Centred: HY 3900 1808) Tumuli (NR)
O.S.6"map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1903).
There are several mounds about a quarter mile S of the mill at Oyce of Isbister.(G Petrie 1868)
The best-defined example, 45ft in diameter and 5ft high, contains a cist at least 3ft 6 ins long, the east end slab of which has been removed. The other mounds vary, where stated, from c.15 to 21ft in diameter and are up to c.3ft high, although a 'large mound' is about 6ft high. These mounds may or may not be artificial.
RCAHMS 1946.
There are seven mounds at the site indicated.
The mound containing the cist (A) is at HY 3902 1802, is composed mainly of earth and small stones, and now measures c.14.0m E-W by c.12.0m N-S and c.1.2m in height. It is probably a barrow.
Two other mounds (B - HY 3900 1802 and C - HY 3898 1801) are also probably barrows.
Three of the mounds (D - HY 3900 1808, F - HY 3900 1811 and G - HY 3900 1813) contain dark earth and/or burnt material.
The seventh mound (E - HY 3901 1810) is probably natural.
The mounds are generally as described by the RCAHMS except that the greatest height is now c.1.5m.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(RL) 6 June 1966.
Field Visit (6 June 1966)
There are seven mounds at the site indicated.
The mound containing the cist (A) is at HY 3902 1802, is composed mainly of earth and small stones, and now measures c.14.0m E-W by c.12.0m N-S and c.1.2m in height. It is probably a barrow.
Two other mounds (B - HY 3900 1802 and C - HY 3898 1801) are also probably barrows.
Three of the mounds (D - HY 3900 1808, F - HY 3900 1811 and G - HY 3900 1813) contain dark earth and/or burnt material.
The seventh mound (E - HY 3901 1810) is probably natural.
The mounds are generally as described by the RCAHMS except that the greatest height is now c.1.5m.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(RL) 6 June 1966.
Field Visit (May 1981)
As described by OS. The mounds show exposures of ordinary
earth not obviously burnt. In enclosed rough land.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) May 1981.
Field Visit (28 September 1993)
The field in which these mounds lie is split in two. This group may represent a group of mounds and a group of burnt mounds, such as that at Bu Orphir.
Northwald 1: 39020 18020. Bowl-shaped mound. Diameter 14.0m. Height 1.2m
Northwald 2: 39000 18020. Kerbed bowl. Measures 7.0m by 6.0m. Height 0.4m.
Northwald 3: 38980 18010.Bowl-shaped mound. Diameter 16.0m. Height 1.4m.
Northwald 4: 39000 18080. Burnt mound. Diameter not recorded. Height 1.8m.
Northwald 5: 39010 18100. Burnt mound. Measures 4.5m by 6.0m. Height 0.9m.
Northwald 6: 39000 18110. Burnt mound. Measures 4.5m by 6.0m. Height 0.9m.
The mounds are probably best visible from 500m - 1km to the S and also to the N.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1993
