Papa Westray, Knowe Of Backiskaill
Burnt Mound (Prehistoric)
Site Name Papa Westray, Knowe Of Backiskaill
Classification Burnt Mound (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 2860
Site Number HY45SE 2
NGR HY 48539 50906
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2860
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Papa Westray
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY45SE 2 4853 5090.
(HY 484 508) There is a large mound immediately behind the post office at Backiskaill. Although described by the RCAHM as a mound of burnt stones, it is possibly Viking, perhaps a ship-burial type. It is unlikely to be a burnt mound because of its size. (Information from F T Wainwright Mss in possession of MoPBW (HBM).
RCAHMS 1946, visited 13 July 1928.
Desk Based Assessment (12 September 1967)
(HY 484 508) There is a large mound immediately behind the post office at Backiskaill. Although described by the RCAHM as a mound of burnt stones, it is possibly Viking, perhaps a ship-burial type. It is unlikely to be a burnt mound because of its size. (Information from F T Wainwright Mss in possession of MoPBW (HBM).
Information from OS (DT) 12 September 1967
Source: RCAHMS 1946, visited 13 July 1928.
Field Visit (1 July 1970)
At HY 4853 5090, adjacent to a marshy area, there is a crescentic mound of burnt stones, 2.9 m. high. Not a ship-burial.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 1 July 1970.
Field Visit (June 1982)
Knowe of Backiskaill HY 4853 5090 HY45SE 2
On grassland immediately E of Backiskaill Post Office is an exceptionally large burnt mound of the classic crescentic form and about 2.9m high; some burnt stones are visible, and a roughly rectangular, low platform appears to project to the W of the main mound.
RCAHMS 1983, visited June 1982.
(Marwick 1925, 40; RCAHMS Notebook Orkney, No. 2, 9 and 13 July 1928; RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 185, No. 538; Wainwright MS; OR 793).
Field Visit (1998)
Located >80m from coast edge.
A crescentic mound is located about 75m from the coast edge in an enclosed field. It is largely grass-covered, but there are occasional exposures, caused by animal poaching, in which burnt stone can be seen. The mound is about 15m across and stands up to 2.9m high. On the inner side of the eastern 'arm' several stones protrude through the turf and may be part of a structure. A rectangular flat-topped platform butts aginst the western side of the burnt mound. An exposure on the side of this platform reveals thick layers of organic soils and is tentatively identified as a farm mound.
Moore and Wilson, 1998
Orkney Coastal Zone Assessment
