Knowe Of Midgarth

HY32SE 6 3981 2361

See also HY32SE 1.

(HY 3981 2361) Knowe of Midgarth (NR)

OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed., (1900).

A hillock, containind a double chamber with two entrances. One entrance, on the SE, has been built up so that nothing can now be seen of it. The other on the west is free from obstruction, and the stonework at the mouth has been repaired. A passage leads into a chamber, the floor of which is below the level of the passage and is reached by two steps. The chamber has apparently been broken into from the roof but the damage has been repaired. Just outside the chamber a short passage branches off towards the SE to give access by a narrow opening to a second and apparently larger cell, now blocked by tumble. Both cells were built on the beehive principle.

For a considerable distance along the beach on the east side, there are traces of ruined masonry and of a small kitchen-midden. Finds included pottery and a piece of cut deerhorn. Other finds include a perforated bone implement, two beads and a good many circular flat stones a few inches in diameter, probably pot-lids. (J Fraser 1928). These objects suggest that the structure was domestic rather than sepulchral.

RCAHMS 1946.

The Knowe of Midgarth is a grassy hillock containing a passageway c.5.0m. long with its entrance on the west, leading to two small sub-rectangular cells, as described, except that both are now partly filled with debris.

Another entrance on the N. side reveals a slightly curving passageway which can be followed for c.10.0m. to where it is blocked by debris. Partial excavation from the east towards the top of the mound has exposed walling which may have formed part of another passage, possibly with associated cells, but the remains are too overgrown and tumbled

to elucidate. This latter walling is at a considerably higher level than the passageway from the north, indicating either a very complex structure or two different levels of occupation.

Near the N. entrance, on the seashore, are the remains of a sub-rectangular structure, c.0.5m. by 1.0m., formed by four flat stones set on edge, within which were observed traces of charcoal and an animal tooth, probably the remains of a hearth.

The traces of ruined masonry on the beach, along the N. side of the mound, are possibly the remains of a dry-stone wall, but no definite alignment could be seen.

Resurveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RL) 5 June 1967.

There are two categories of structures in Orkney which can be confused with chambered cairns. One consists of a mound in which there may be one or more passages, sometimes angled, leading to one or several small chambers, built on ground level. A good example which retains its roof is the Knowe of Midgarth (RCAHMS 1946): it is certainly not a tomb and is probably a variant souterrain.

J L Davidson and A S Henshall 1989.