Saverock

HY41SW 5 4368 1296.

(HY 4368 1296) Brough (NR) (Site of)

OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1903).

'Earth-house, Saverock - This 'Subterranean Chamber' was accidentally discovered near the shore about a mile NW. of Kirkwall. Nothing of it is now visible, but in 1848 it was excavated by Thomas with the assistance of Petrie (G Petrie 1873) and the following particulars are drawn from the published account (F W L Thomas 1852)".(Here follows a very full description)."An enormous quantity of the bones of domestic animals, mostly sheep, were scattered about the place, as well as pieces of deer-horn and a large bone of a whale. There was a considerable deposit of shells, mainly perishable, with oyster and scallop. Three rude implements of bone were found, and among the debris there was a good deal of the ash of fuel, with, at one place, a deposit of a very bright brick-red clay. Petrie includes it in his list of brochs (G Petrie 1873)'.

RCAHMS 1946.

The site of this earth house cannot be identified on the ground.

Visited by OS (GHP) 5 April 1964.

The 'John O'Groat Journal' in 1854 describes the original excavation here, and the subsequent discovery of a bronze bird's claw.

M Howe 2006