AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND WATCHING BRIEF AT VOYDALE, .

GUARD 437

An Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief for Historic

carried out by

Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division.

Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary 5 2.0 Introduction 5 3.0 Archaeological Background 6 4.0 Aims and Objectives 7 5.0 Methodology 9 6.0 Results 10 6.1 Trial Trenching (January 1997) 10 6.2 Trial Trenching (February 1997) 16 6.3 Watching Brief (March 1997) 21 7.0 Conclusions 25 7.1 Discussion 25 7.2 Recommendations 28 8.0 Post Excavation Research Design 29 9.0 Acknowledgements 30 10.0 Bibliography 31

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND WATCHING BRIEF AT VOYDALE, ORKNEY.

by

Paul Duffy and Susan Bain

1.0 Executive Summary

Prior to the construction of a new visitors’ centre for , Historic Scotland commissioned GUARD to undertake an archaeological evaluation of all areas likely to be affected by the enabling works. This consisted of an initial phase of trial trenching carried out in January and February 1997, designed to identify and record any archaeological material present in these areas. Following this, a watching brief was conducted during the enabling works in March 1997. The remains of several stone structures, probably earlier field boundaries, were observed and recorded, as well as a small channel leading from a post-medieval circular stone structure close to the shoreline.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland (fig 1). The land around it has significant archaeological potential, with a rich variety of archaeological remains recorded over the last three centuries. In 1996, Historic Scotland proposed that a new visitors’ centre for Skara Brae be built at Voydale, close to Skaill House (NGR HY 2345

1875). The site was then occupied by modern, standing agricultural buildings with associated hard standings, enclosed by a drystane wall and within an improved agricultural setting, c

300 m from the shoreline. Aware of the area’s high archaeological potential, Historic

Scotland commissioned GUARD to undertake an archaeological evaluation of the proposed route of a treated sewage outflow pipe, a sewage treatment tank, and areas of the enabling works at the site, to identify and record any archaeological remains present in these areas.

This took place in two main stages: an intensive programme of test pits and trial trenches carried out in January and February 1997, followed by a watching brief during the enabling works in March 1997. Demolition of some of the upstanding buildings and the enclosing drystane wall was also monitored, and the stones were examined for any indications that they had been re-used.

3.0 Archaeological Background

The light sandy soils, easy access to the sea and the sheltered location of the Bay of Skaill have, judging from the rich archaeological remains, attracted settlement in all periods of human occupation on the Orkney Mainland. Skara Brae is perhaps the best known site on the bay (Childe 1931; Clarke 1976), and the impressive upstanding remains of this Neolithic village will form the focus of the proposed visitors’ centre at Voydale. The bay does, however, also contain many other remains, including sites of a variety of forms and periods, described in general terms by Morris et al (1985).

Prehistoric remains have been recorded throughout the area, with an another potential settlement mound identified at the shoreline close to Skara Brae (Morris et al 1985) along with other Neolithic settlement remains (Clarke 1977; Richards 1994). Early funerary monuments have also been recorded, such as those found c 600 m to the north of Voydale.

At least one of this group of low mounds contained cist burials (Low 1776, 276-7; RCAHMS

1946, 276-7) suggested to date from the early Bronze Age (Lysaght 1972; Lysaght 1974).

More recently, a rock cut tomb containing a free-standing cist was discovered during sand quarrying at Sand Fiold, c 1 km from Voydale. The cist contained both inhumations and cremation burials, along with organic fibrous material and a slate pot lid (Dalland forthcoming). Other unexcavated mounds, such as one adjacent to Skaill House and the

‘Castle of Snugster’ near the north shore of the bay, may also prove to be prehistoric in origin.

Viking remains have also been recorded in the immediate area, such as those found 200 m west of Skara Brae (Childe 1931, 143; Watt 1888). A rich assemblage of silver objects known as the Skaill Hoard, recovered from a rabbit burrow on the north side of the bay, also dates to this period (Graham-Campbell 1976, 119-21).

Skaill House itself dates in part to the seventeenth century (RCAHMS 1946, 251), but it has been suggested that it overlies an earlier hall or manor (Lamb 1982). Recent excavations in the immediate vicinity of the house found a group of extended inhumations beneath simple grave markers (James, forthcoming); these may lend credence to the suggestion that an early chapel existed at the site (Clouston 1918, 100).

These finds, along with several burials of indeterminate date on the north side of the bay

(RCAHMS 1946, 254) and other enigmatic humps and mounds in the area, all suggest that there is significant potential for recovering archaeological remains within the area of Skaill

Bay.

4.0 Aims and Objectives

The fieldwork requirements of the project were twofold: an initial archaeological evaluation of the site area (Stage 1), followed by monitoring of the pre-construction enabling works

(Stage 2). Stage 1 consisted of an intensive programme of test pits and trial trenches, both hand-dug and machine-excavated, within the proposed development area (fig 2). It was designed to extensively test the areas that would be affected by the proposed works, to establish the nature of the buried sediments in as many areas as possible and allow mitigation of any archaeological material before the enabling works commenced. This approach also aimed to minimise the possibility of any further mitigation work during Stage 2 of the evaluation, to avoid disrupting the contractor’s schedule as much as possible.

Stage 2 consisted of monitoring all demolition and excavation during the enabling works. It was conducted according to established watching brief procedures, and was carried out in close liaison with the main contractor and project architect. Archaeological deposits encountered during this stage were to be preserved in situ if possible after detailed recording of the material, with minimum interference to the developer’s schedule. This is in accordance with the guidelines laid down in Planning Policy Guideline 16.

5.0 Methodology

According to the initial project design the evaluation was to examine the area of a sewage treatment plant, service trenches and a sewage outflow pond (or reed bed) designed to dispose of treated sewage. Before Stage 1 began, the planned reed bed was abandoned and instead a sewage tank with an outflow to the sea was proposed, necessitating changes to the planned trial trenching. However, during Stage 2 the second plan was also altered; the contractors decided to use a different method of sewage disposal, which meant that no further excavation would take place outside the enclosed yard area. The project design had to be adjusted at short notice several times to accommodate these changes in the development plan.

During Stage 1, 14 trial trenches were dug, five by hand and the rest using a JCB with a back actor fitted with a flat-bladed ditching bucket (see fig 2). The hand-dug trenches 1-5 lay in the farmyard, beside the enclosing drystane dyke. Another group of trenches, numbers 7-10, were machine-excavated in the yard to further investigate the nature of the deposits. When potential archaeological deposits appeared, machining stopped and the trench was then cleaned by hand and recorded. Four machine-excavated trenches, numbers 11-14 were also opened along the proposed line of the treated sewage outflow pipe, between the farmyard and the shoreline. Stage 2 involved monitoring the machine-dug trenches for the enabling works carried out by

Watershed Ltd. These were excavated using back actors with both flat bladed and toothed buckets. Several small test pits, numbers 17-21, were dug to assess the height of the water table both inside and outside the farmyard, followed by the excavation of several trenches, numbers 22-26, for the various elements of the filtration tank system. A JCB with a narrow ditching bucket was also used to excavate two service trenches and associated manholes , numbers 15-16, beside the upstanding farm building. During the enabling works it was decided that the planned method of waste disposal would not be suitable; after the test pitting, no further work occurred in the area outside the Voydale enclosure.

6.0 Results

6.1 Trial Trenching (January 1997)

Hand-excavated trenches (1-5)

Trench 1

Trench 1 was located against the inner side of the south boundary wall. It measured 2 m by 1 m. The topsoil was a dark brown sand, c 0.2 m deep, which overlay a clean pale brown/yellow sand (002). This was excavated to a depth of 1.4 m. The only feature was an apparently modern pit [003] containing at least two bird skeletons (probably chicken) and fragments of eggshell.

Trench 2

Trench 2 was located against the north boundary wall, and measured 2 m by 1 m. The topsoil, 0.3 m deep, was composed of loose angular stone and concrete rubble within a dark brown sand matrix. This overlay pale brown/yellow sand mottled with mid-brown sand patches (002). This was excavated to a depth of approximately 1.4 m. No artefacts or features of archaeological interest were recovered.

Trench 3

This trench measured 2m by 3m, and was initially excavated by hand. It was then extended and further excavated to a depth of 1.45 m by machine. The trench was located against the western wall and above a slight mound which lay between the small building and the gate.

The topsoil was removed to expose a layer of loose, pale yellow sand (002); below this was a thin layer of fine stone chippings (012) lying above a layer of brown sand (014). The brown sand was interpreted as the ground surface when the drystane dyke was built; the surface was littered with debris from the construction of the wall and subsequently covered in a layer of windblown sand which constituted the mound. The only other feature noted was the construction trench for the dyke, which appeared as a shallow linear feature filled with dark brown sand and angular stones [009].

Trench 4

Trench 4 was located 15 m west of Trench 2, and measured 2 m by 1 m. The topsoil was dark brown sand overlying pale brown/yellow sand (002). Below this, at a depth of 1.35 m, was a thin lens of dark-brown sandy clay (008), overlying mottled brown sand (007). The dark brown sandy clay was thought to be an alluvial deposit from an earlier burn. The current burn lies approximately 12 m to the north, but its present course has been artificially channelled.

Trench 5

This trench was located 15 m west of Trench 1 against the south wall, and measured 2 m by 1 m. This was excavated to a depth of 1.1 m. The topsoil overlay pale brown sand (002) similar to that in Trench 1. A small pit [005] containing the remains of at least two birds, probably chickens, was noted in the north-west corner of the trench. No other features or artefacts were noted.

Machine-excavated trenches (6-10)

Trench 6

Trench 6 was excavated in the southern indent of the concrete hard standing and measured 3 m by 2 m. The topsoil was 0.15 m thick and overlay pale brown/yellow sand (002). At a depth of approximately 0.5 m below the surface the sand became slightly greyer. The trench became very wet at 1.20 m, and was excavated to a depth of 2.0 m. The sand remained grey/brown. No artefacts or other features were recorded.

Trench 7

Trench 7 was located in the northern indent of the concrete hard standing. It measured 7 m by

5 m. At approximately 1 m below the surface, a rough line of sub-rounded stones running north-south was uncovered (016). Machining was halted and the remainder of the trench was excavated by hand. This revealed a linear spread of flat and sub-rounded stones running across the trench, curving slightly, aligned north-south and apparently lying on a gentle slope. The stone spread appeared to have a definite but rough edge to the east and ran under both the north and south baulks (see fig 3). Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine the depth nor the extent of this stone feature because of the waterlogged state of this part of the trench. However, probing found a number of stones to the north and south. The stone feature appeared to have been cut into compact reddish sand (018), although evidence for a cut only existed along a small section to the south-east. The mandible of a medium-sized fish

(Sample 1) and part of the skull of a medium-sized mammal, possibly bovine (Sample 2), were recovered from amongst the stones. A patch of grey-brown gritty clay (017), approximately 0.3 m in diameter and 0.05 m deep, lay south-east of the stone feature. No other artefacts were recovered.

Only a portion of this feature was excavated and its full extent was not determined. It was interpreted as possibly the remains of a drystane field boundary.

Trench 8

This trench was positioned across the eastern part of the low mound by the small building to ascertain its nature. It measured 5 m by 1.8 m. The topsoil was 0.15 m deep and overlay pale brown/yellow sand (002), as in the other trenches. At a depth of 1.20 m below the surface, a thin layer (0.04 m) of dark brown silty-sand lay over the entire trench (030). This was interpreted as a layer of water-deposited silt, similar in depth and composition to that seen in trench 4 (008).

Trench 9

This trench was located in the south-west of the site and measured 2.7 m by 1.8 m. A 0.2 m layer of topsoil overlay pale-brown/yellow sand (002). A pit containing a mammal burial

(probably bovine) wrapped in hessian sacking [041] and another containing bird bones

(probably chicken) [043] were the only features noted in this trench. Both had been cut from the topsoil and were modern features. At a depth of 1.4 m the sand became slightly more grey, a change similar to that noted in Trench 6. No artefacts were recovered.

Trench 10

This trench was located behind the derelict farmhouse in the north-east part of the site and measured 4 m by 2 m. A 0.2 m layer of topsoil overlay concrete, which covered the entire trench except the north-east corner. The concrete overlay a 0.25 m thick layer of rough stone and mortar rubble (045). Below this was a dark brown organic layer (046) which overlay pale brown/yellow sand (014). This sand became greyer at approximately 1.0 m from the surface.

The trench became waterlogged at 1.4 m. A large, straight-cut feature [047] filled with mixed sand and stones (048) was noted in the north-east corner. Cut through the concrete and approximately 1.1 m deep, this was interpreted as the edge of a trench excavated in 1995 by

Environmental and Archaeological Services Edinburgh. No artefacts were recovered or samples taken.

6.2 Trial Trenching (February 1997)

Trench 11

Trench 11 lay between the path and the shore immediately east of the picnic area wall (see fig

2). The shore at this point has been built up with large rubble blocks held in place with a steel net to combat erosion. The maximum dimensions of this trench were 7.5 m by 3 m. The trench was dug by machine and, for safety, it was stepped in after it reached 1.2 m in depth.

This reduced the trench to 6 m by 2.2 m, and it was then excavated to a maximum depth of 2 m. A thin layer of topsoil up to 0.1 m deep was removed. This overlay a layer of loose, pale yellow sand (020), which appeared to be windblown. Below this was a very compact layer of grey-brown sandy clay with occasional sub-angular pebbles (021), which overlay a thin layer of clean, compact yellow sand (022). This windblown sand (020) also overlay a very dark grey layer of clay/sand (023) with very frequent angular stone chips and occasional larger rounded pebbles. This overlay mottled brown/yellow sand (024) flecked with small patches of clay and very infrequent charcoal flecks. Below this was a layer 0.2 m deep of rounded pebbles in a loose sand matrix (025). Beneath the pebbles was a very compact, light brown sand (026) with an occasional rounded stones. This overlay dark orange/brown sand marbled with thin lenses of grey clay (027); this layer was interpreted as natural.

The mixed, upper layers of this trench may reflect the disturbance created when the anti- erosion measures and the picnic area wall running parallel to the shore were built. In particular the dark grey layer (023) may be associated with the wall’s construction, as it contained so many small stone chippings. The rounded pebbles (025) which occurred 1 m below ground level are probably a layer of beach shingle. No features were observed nor artefacts recovered.

Trench 12

This trench lay 10 m east of Trench 11 and its maximum dimensions were 5.6 m by 3.2 m.

For safety purposes and because a service pipe was uncovered, this was reduced to 2.5 m by

1.5 m. A layer of topsoil (maximum 0.2 m) was removed to reveal mid-grey/brown sand

(031), which overlay pale brown/cream sand (032). Below, at a depth of approximately 1.8 m, a band of large rounded stones (033) was just visible. Machining was stopped and the trench was then excavated by hand. A patchy but extensive layer of sterile mid-brown clay

(034) lay on top of the stones, which lay in a rough band running south-west/north-east (see fig 4). Unfortunately, the stones lay at the same level as the water table and it was not possible to excavate further to determine the feature’s depth. Although interpretation is hampered by the waterlogging and the small size of the trench, this feature may be the remains of a clay-bonded drystane field boundary. A similar stone spread was observed in

Trench 7. However, both may also be natural, as water rounded stones and clay occur in the area. No other features or artefacts were observed.

Trench 13

Trench 13 was excavated 16 m east of Trench 2, north-east of a circular stone structure. The topsoil was removed to reveal pale brown/cream sand (032) . At a depth of 0.4 m a clay patch was uncovered in the north-west corner, and the trench was extended to find the extent of this layer. This revealed a linear feature 0.6 m wide, running south-west to north-east and extending into both the east and west baulks [035]. The fill was a crumbly grey/brown clay with an occasional red streak (036). A slot trench excavated across this feature found a flat- bottomed cut with 45 degree sloping sides. Some animal disturbance at the base of the feature had mixed the surrounding sand with the clay fill. The linear feature aligned directly with a stone-lined channel emerging from the base of the circular stone structure to the south-west of the trench and appeared to run towards the burn to the north-east. The stone structure’s function is unknown but it may be associated with the production of linen and the nearby lint mill (NGR HY 2335 1887). A sample taken of the fill (Sample 3) may produce plant and pollen evidence. No artefacts were recovered from this feature. The fact that the first edition

OS map does not show this feature suggests that it is late nineteenth century in date.

After this feature was investigated, the trench was excavated to a depth of 1.4 m through sterile, pale yellow sand (028). The water table occurred at 1.2 m below the surface.

Trench 14

Trench 14 was excavated 9 m west of the gateway in the farmyard enclosure, in a hollow immediately west of the tarmac path. The trench measured a maximum of 4.4 m by 3.0 m, reducing to 1.5 m wide at a depth of 1.2 m. Topsoil (0.15 m deep) was removed to reveal a layer of pale yellow sand (028). At approximately 1.45 m below the surface, clay patches began to appear and the water table was struck at 1.5 m. Excavation stopped at a maximum depth of 1.6 m. No features or artefacts were observed.

The stone rubble from the demolition of the ruinous farm house and the dyke was checked for evidence of re-use from earlier structures, but none was observed.

6.3 WATCHING BRIEF (March 1997)

Trench 15 Water pipe trench and associated manholes 1, 2 and 3

This trench extended for c 14 m from the farmyard enclosure, underneath the farm building, and to the east of it. The shallow foundations of the building, c 0.8 m deep, meant that this could be done without major disturbance to the structure. Two manhole trenches in the farmyard were excavated to a depth of c 0.6 m, connected by a narrow water pipe trench c 0.4 m deep. Another trench, 0.4 m deep, ran from the manhole 2, underneath the farm building to manhole 3 on the eastern side of the building Manhole 3 was excavated to a depth of c 1.4 m.

Manholes 1 and 2, the connecting pipe trench between them, and the trench running to manhole 3 all cut through a deposit of fine, pale yellow sand (028). No archaeological material was observed in these areas. Manhole 3 also cut through this sand deposit to a depth of 1.4 m, at which point an area of stonework was observed extending c 0.5 m into the eastern side of the trench (037). Excavated by hand, this consisted of three courses of stonework bonded by clay apparently running NE-SW. The stones were a mixture of slabs and beach stones and appeared to be in situ, with no obvious evidence of collapse (Plate 1).

Further investigation proved difficult as they lay at the same depth as the water table, and water seepage hampered further observation and excavation. Probing did, however, appear to suggest that no stonework lay beneath that which was visible.

The pit was due to be filled with concrete to provide a base for the manhole fittings, but after consultation with Casey Construction it was decided that a manhole was not essential at this point. Following full recording of the feature, the hole was partially backfilled, preserving the area of stonework, and after the pipe was put in place it was completely backfilled. The feature was not disturbed further.

Trench 16 Services trench

This was located adjacent to manhole 3 and extended from the edge of the road to the interior of the farmhouse, a distance of c 5 m. The trench was 0.6 m deep and cut through pale yellow sand (028). No archaeological features were observed during the excavation of the trench.

Trenches 17-21 Filtration system test pits

These were located along the proposed line of the pipe leading from the filtration tank towards the sea, and were excavated down to the water table to test the depth of the groundwater. All trenches measured c 3 m by 2 m apart from Trench 19, which measured 3.5 m by 2.5 m. All the trenches cut through topsoil from 0.1-0.2 m in depth and an underlying deposit of pale yellow sand (028). None contained archaeological features, with the exception of Trench 19

(Fig. 5). In this trench a linear feature was observed at a depth of 1.3 m, running approximately N-S [038]. The feature measured c 0.5 m across and ran for the entire length of the trench. It’s fill consisted of dark brown sandy soil, with some humic content towards the southern end of the feature (039). It contained occasional charcoal pieces and also several cobble-sized beach stones, which lay within and around the fill. A 0.5 m long section dug through its southern end found the feature was 0.12 m deep and contained occasional patches of clay. A sample of this material was taken (Sample 4). This was interpreted as the remains of a dyke bed with some of the walling stones remaining in situ. The fact that some of the stones appeared to lie beside the dyke bed suggests that this wall may have collapsed at some point; the sparsity of stone appears to indicate some of it has been robbed. This trench lay next to Trench 12, in which a spread of large rounded stones (033) was recorded during the trial trenching phase. Although these were at a greater depth than those in Trench 19 (0.5 m deeper), it is possible that the two features are related.

Trench 22 Soakaway trench

This trench was located in the south-west of the farmyard enclosure, measured 18 m by 3 m, and was 1.0 m deep. The trench cut through pale yellow sand (028). No features of archaeological interest were recorded during the excavation.

Trench 23 Filtration tank trench

This lay in the north of the farm yard enclosure and measured 10 m by 4 m. Its proposed depth was 3.5 m, but during the excavation problems with its shoring meant that when it reached a depth of approximately 2.5 m, the hole had to be backfilled. The trench cut through the same pale yellow sand (028) observed in the other trenches, but at a depth of 1.4 m an area of stones was uncovered in the north-east corner (040). The feature, cleaned by hand, was found to consist of four courses of slabs and rounded beach stones apparently preserved in situ (Plate 2). The feature extended 0.6 m into the trench, and probing with an arrow suggested that the feature continued east and north beyond the trench edges. After discussion with Watershed Ltd, it was agreed that after the feature was recorded, the trench for the filtration tank would be moved to the west c 0.6 m, avoiding the remains. This was done and the area backfilled, thus preserving the feature and disturbing it as little as possible.

No other features were recorded during the excavation of this trench.

Trench 24 This trench was located c 2 m south of the original filtration tank trench (Trench 23). It measured c 9 m by 5 m. The trench was excavated to a depth of 1.0 m through pale yellow sand (028). before shoring was inserted. When the shoring piles were driven in, the machine driver encountered what seemed to be boulders c. 1.4 m down at the south side of the trench, in an area c. 3-4 m in length. After consultation with the site manager for Watershed Ltd, the contractors decided to move the position of the filtration tank site closer to its original location, to minimise the possibility of disturbing these boulders in case they were archaeological material. Accordingly, the piles were removed and the trench backfilled. The location of the suspected area of boulders was recorded, but no other action was taken.

Trench 25 Filtration Tank This trench was located 2 m to the north of Trench 24, very close to the original position of

Trench 23. It measured c 8 m by 4 m and was excavated to a depth of c 4 m. During excavation it was observed that the material being removed was almost exclusively backfill that was used to fill in Trench 23 (see above). This backfill was a very mixed sandy soil with pockets of topsoil and green grass at depths of 2-3 m. Below this lay blue grey sandy clay (029), observation of which was hampered by silts and water seepage which continually covered the bottom of the trench during excavation at this depth. No archaeological remains were observed in the trench.

Trench 26 Pump Station This trench was for the pump station associated with the filtration tank. It was located 2.2 m west of Trench 25, and measured 3 m by 2 m. The trench was excavated to a depth of c 2 m, and cut though the pale yellow sand (028) seen in other trenches. No archaeological material was observed within the trench.

The north and west sides of the enclosing drystane wall was also being demolished at this time and the stones were checked for evidence of re-use. No such evidence was found on any of these stones.

7.0 CONCLUSIONS

7.1 Discussion

This phase of enabling work at Voydale, involving the installation of a filtration tank system and the excavation of service trenches within the farmyard enclosure, is now complete. The trial trenching and test pitting at Stage 1 of the project helped define the kinds of archaeological and non archaeological material likely to be encountered on site. It also established the nature of the soil conditions for Stage 2 of the project whilst causing minimum disruption to the developers schedule. Flexibility in the project design proved important as, during the project, key elements of the initial Stage 1 and 2 plans had to be altered in response to changes made by the developers. These included cancelling the proposed reed bed sewage disposal system, cancelling the planned outflow pipe from the sewage treatment plant and moving the filtration tank site. Some archaeological material was revealed and recorded during the two stages of the project and several key points, with implications for any future work at the site, arise from observations of these archaeological deposits.

Five of the trenches excavated contained evidence for drystane field boundaries. Excavation of Trench 24 was halted after the shoring piles struck what seemed to be stones at a depth of

1.4 m, which may suggest further walling in this area. Other features included a possible drain [035] in Trench 13 associated with the lint mill. All of the features recorded, with the exception of the linear feature in Trench 13, were found at depths exceeding 1 m. Overlying these features, almost invariably, was a layer of sand (002, 011, 014, 015, 028, 032), which appeared to be sterile. This in turn was overlain by a topsoil horizon (001) of between

0.1 and 0.2 m thick, and occasionally by other disturbed layers thought to be associated with construction of the upstanding buildings and walls on the site (009, 012, 013, 020-027).

With the exception of the linear feature [035] in Trench 13, the archaeological material at the site consisted of stone-built features in varying degrees of preservation, from four courses of slabs and sub-rounded beach stones (040) (Trench 23), to the remains of a bedding trench with occasional stones remaining [038] (Trench 19). The stone-built features in Trenches 12,

15 and 19 were apparently clay-bonded and all appeared at between 1.0 m and 1.8 m below present ground level; it is possible that they all relate to the same period of activity.

Interpretation of these features as field boundaries is somewhat tentative, as only a limited portion of the remains in any trench could be excavated due to the nature of the trenching carried out. This problem was compounded by the high level of the water table, which occurred at 1.3 m in some areas.

This interpretation, however, was supported by observation of the modern drystane walls in the area, which are broadly similar in construction, and the identification of a dyke bed in

Trench 19 similar to those used to support the modern field boundaries, as was recorded in

Trench 3. The clay bonding in some of the walling could suggest different construction techniques in use perhaps indicating different periods of construction.. However, nowhere was an old ground surface observed that could be associated with these buried walls, possibly because waterlogging prevented excavation to sufficient depths in some of the trenches.

Datable material may be obtained from the bulk sample taken from the fill of the dyke bed in

Trench 19 (Sample 4), and from the bone recovered from between the stones in Trench 7

(Sample 2).

The linear feature [035] observed to the east of a circular stone structure, close to the shoreline in Trench 13, appeared to be in line with the stone-lined channel emerging from the base of the circular stone structure. It appeared to run to the burn to the north of the structure, possibly as some sort of drainage channel. The function of the circular structure is unknown, but local knowledge suggests that it may be associated with the nearby lint mill (Casey construction foreman pers comm). Analysis of the sample taken from the fill of the feature

(Sample 3) may help to ascertain its function. Observation of the non-archaeological deposits may also be relevant to any further work.

Unfortunately, due to the shoring necessary for the excavation of the deepest trenches,

(Trenches 23 and 25) a clear soil profile could not be observed. However, the other trenches all cut through topsoil, modern disturbance layers and a deep fine sand deposit. In an attempt to assess the conditions that led to the deposition of the sand, specialist advice was sought from Dr Mike Jarvis of Glasgow University. Due to other commitments he was unable to visit the site but after examining some of the photographs from Stage 1 of the project and discussing the on-site observations with one of the project directors, he suggested that the major sand deposit is probably windborne. On his advice, this fact was established by careful examination of the interfaces between the sand layers and the topsoil during Stage 2; these were found to undulate, a result of wind action. If the sand were water deposited, this interface would have been flat. Dr Jarvis also suggested that the layer of discoloured, grey/yellow mottled sand, identified in Trenches 6, 9, 10 and elsewhere, relates to the level of the water table, the discoloration resulting from leaching by the water. In Trenches 4 and 8 at c 1.3 m depth, a brown sandy silt deposit was observed (008, 030). This may relate to the earlier course of the burn which now runs to the north of the enclosed farmyard area.

Although this is now c 12 m from the location of these trenches, the present burn has been artificially channelled, probably as part of the lint mill workings.

In conclusion, windblown sand deposits in this area extend at least 1.0 m in depth, below which there are occasional remains of drystane and clay-bonded walls, but no evidence for old ground surfaces. Above this depth no significant archaeological remains were uncovered, the only features being a late nineteenth century ditch and modern disturbance layers. This work has, however, shown that archaeological material does exist in the area. The possibility of further archaeological remains on the site cannot be ruled out.

7.2 Recommendations

A total of twenty six trenches were excavated during the two stages of this project. This work demonstrated that in the area of the proposed visitors’ centre and associated works, a deposit of windblown sand lies to a depth of at least 1.0 m below the topsoil. It is therefore unlikely that pre-modern archaeological material will be encountered above this depth, and this fact should be taken into consideration in planning any future projects in the area. At depths greater than this archaeological remains are present, demonstrated during the project by the discovery of several stone-built structures, interpreted as field boundaries. GUARD recommends that any further construction work involving excavations deeper than 1.0 m should include some form of archaeological monitoring as part of the project design.

The position of the remains discovered can be seen on Fig. 2. These were all recorded in detail, and in all cases except Trenches 13 and 19, the archaeological remains have been preserved in situ. The location of these remains should therefore be taken into account during any future construction work, and either avoided or exposed prior to work starting to allow more detailed examination. If it is decided that, based on the findings of this project, further excavation of these features is necessary, GUARD recommends that this be done during the summer months. As described above, the level of the water table was found to be very high in relation to the archaeological remains uncovered, and on several occasions water and silts seeping into the trench made excavation conditions difficult. Summer excavation would lessen this problem as the water table would presumably be lower, and would allow excavation to greater depths than could be expected during the rest of the year.

8.0 Post Excavation Research Design

No artefacts were recovered during the excavations and watching brief and so the post- excavation will deal with two soil samples and two samples of bone.

Sample 1: The fish bone from the stone structure in Trench 7 (016) weighed 7.5 g. The species of this fish will be identified; however the sample is too small for a conventional radiocarbon date.

Sample 2: The probable bovine bone from the stone structure in Trench 7 weighed 47.5 g.

The species of this bone will be identified and it could then be submitted for a conventional radiocarbon date. This could complement dating evidence from Sample 4, if any is recovered. A single radiocarbon date may, however, be of limited scientific value.

Sample 3: A bulk sample from the fill of the linear feature (036) draining from the possible lint mill will be examined by Susan Ramsay from the Botany Department of Glasgow

University. She will recommend a further course of action, and whether wet sieving the sample is suitable in this case for the retrieval of pollen or plant remains.

Sample 4: A bulk sample from the fill of the dyke bed in Trench 19 (039) will also be assessed for the potential of recovering carbonised material by wet sieving. If a suitable quantity of charcoal is retrieved it will be put forward for radiocarbon dating. This could date the dyke bed from which the sample was taken, also providing dating evidence for the linear stone spreads which are so far undated, and complementing dating evidence obtained from

Sample 2. A single radiocarbon date may, however, be of limited scientific value.

9. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank following: the staff and management of Casey Construction,

Watershed Ltd, and Law and Dunbar Naismith for their co-operation during the project;

Major Malcolm Macrae for his interest and allowing access to the land; and Dr Mike Jarvis and Susan Ramsay of Glasgow University for their specialist assistance. The excavation team consisted of Heather James, Susan Bain, Paul Duffy and Gerry McArdle. Thanks also to

Olivia Lelong for copy editing and Ross Samson for Desk Top Publishing. The drawings were by Jill Seivewright (figure 1) and Caitlin Evans (figures 2-5 ) and the report was bound by Mel Richmond. The project was managed by Jerry O’Sullivan and Heather James.

10. Bibliography

Childe, V G 1931 Skara Brae: A Pictish Village in Orkney. London.

Clarke, D V 1976 The Neolithic Village of Skara Brae, Orkney, 1972-73 excavations: An interim report. Edinburgh.

Clarke, D V 1977 ‘Skara Brae Grooved Ware settlement’, Discovery and Excavation in Scotland, 24.

Clouston, J S 1918 ‘The Old Chapels of Orkney’, Scottish Historical Review, 15, No 58, 89-105.

Dalland, M forthcoming ‘The excavation of an exceptional cist in Orkney’, Proc Prehist Soc

Graham-Campbell, J 1976 ’The Viking-age silver and gold hoards of Scandinavian character from Scotland’, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 107, 1975-76, 114-135.

James, H F forthcoming Excavation of an early cemetery at Skaill House, Sandwick, Orkney. Stratigraphic report to Historic Scotland for GUARD.

Lamb, R 1982 The Archaeological Sites and Monuments of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, Orkney Islands Area. RCAHMS, Edinburgh.

Low, G 1776 ‘Extract of a letter from Mr George Low’, Archaeologica, 3, 276-8.

Lysaght, A M 1972 ‘Note on a graveyard excavated by Joseph Banks and George Low at Skaill in 1772’, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 104(1971-2), 285-9.

Lysaghtm, A M 1974 ‘Joseph Banks at Skara Brae and Stennis, Orkney, 1772’, Notes and Records of the Royal Society, 28, 221-34.

Morris, C with Emery, N, Owen, O, Raines, M and Watt, H 1985 ‘Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney: preliminary investigations of a mound site near Skara Brae’, Glas Arch J, 12, 82-92.

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland 1946 Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Orkney and Shetland, 3 vols. Edinburgh.

Watt, W 1888 ‘Notice of discovery of a stone cist at Skaill Bay’, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 22(1887-8), 283-5.

437 VOYDALE Appendix 1 Context Register

Context Number Trench Type Description 001 All Layer Topsoil 002 Trenches 1-9 Layer Moderately compact pale brown sand 003 Trench 1 Cut Visible in north section of Trench 1 004 Trench 1 Fill Fill of 003 005 Trench 5 Cut Visible in section of Trench 5 006 Trench 5 Fill Fill of 005. Dark brown humic sand containing bird remains 007 Trench 4 Layer Natural layer of brown mottled sand 008 Trench 4 Layer Natural layer of dark brown sandy clay 009 Trench 3 Cut Cut of dyke bed 010 Trench 3 Fill Fill of 009. Mid to dark brown humic soil. 011 Trench 3 Layer Wind-blown yellow sand 012 Trench 3 Layer Fine stone chippings 013 Trench 3 Layer Small to medium angular stones and mortar 014 Trench 3 Layer Pale brown sand 015 Trench 3 Layer Yellow sand 016 Trench 7 Layer Stones 017 Trench 7 Layer Small patch of blue grey mottled clay 018 Trench 7 Layer Firm red sand with occasional charcoal flecks 019 Trench 7 Cut Cut for 016 020 Trench 11 Layer Loose pale yellow sand 021 Trench 11 Layer Very compact grey brown sandy clay with occasional pebbles 022 Trench 11 Layer Compact mid brown yellow sand 023 Trench 11 Layer Dark grey clay/sand with frequent angular stone chips 024 Trench 11 Layer Mottled brown/yellow sand with clay patches and occasional charcoal flecks 025 Trench 11 Layer Yellow sand with rounded pebbles 026 Trench 11 Layer Compact light brown sand with occasional stone 027 Trench 11 Layer Dark orange/brown sand with occasional clay lenses 028 Trench 15-25 Layer Pale yellow sand 029 Trench 23 Layer Blue grey sandy clay 030 Trench 8 Layer Dark brown sandy clay 031 Trench 12 Layer Grey brown sand 032 Trench 12 Layer Pale brown/cream sand 033 Trench 12 Layer Stones 034 Trench 12 Layer Mid brown clay 035 Trench 13 Cut Cut of 036 036 Trench 13 Fill Crumbly grey brown clay 037 Trench 15 Layer Clay-bonded stone wall 038 Trench 19 Cut Cut of 039 039 Trench 19 Fill Humic dark brown sand with some charcoal and cobbles 040 Trench 23 Layer Stone walling 041 Trench 9 Cut Cut of 042 042 Trench 9 Fill Mammal burial 043 Trench 9 Cut Cut of 044 044 Trench 9 Fill Bird burial 045 Trench 10 Layer Stone and mortar rubble 046 Trench 10 Layer Dark brown organic soil 047 Trench 10 Cut Cut of EASE trench 048 Trench 10 Fill Fill of [047]; mixed sand and stones

Appendix 2 Drawing Record Drawing Number Description Scale 1 Trench location plan 1:200 2 Trench 1 East facing section 1:50 3 Trench 7 post ex plan 1:20 4 Plan of trench 11 1:50 5 Trench 11 East facing section 1:50 6 Trench 12 Plan 1:20 7 Trench 19 Plan of [038] 1:10 8 Trench 19 Section through context (039) 1:5 9 Trench 15 Plan of context (037) 1:10

Sketches in Daybooks Daybook 1 Daybook 2 Location of Trenches 1-10 Trench 13 Location and section Trench 2 East facing section Trench 14 Location Trench 1 South facing section Trench 19 Location Trench 1 East facing section Trench 23 Plan of context (040) Trench 5 East facing section Plan of Trench location Trench 4 West facing section Trench 7 plan / North facing section Trench 3 North facing section Trench 8 Location

Appendix 3 Photographic Record Mono Film 1 Number Subject Direction from 1 Film Number Board 2 Trench 1 - c 1 m deep North 3 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep South 4 Trench 3 - During deturfing East 5 Trench 1 - c 1 m deep with bird South burial 6 Trench 1 - c 1 m deep East 7 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep South 8 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep East 9 Trench 2 - Foundation of field South wall 10 Trench 7 - General view West 11 Trench 7 - General view West 12 Trench 7 - Machine trench being West cleaned 13 Trench 8 - Machine trench being East dug 14 Trench 8 - Machine trench being East dug 15 Trench 8 - East facing section South-east 16 Trench 8 - East facing section South-east 17 Trench 8 - East facing section North-east 18 Trench 8 - Along trench North 19 Trench 8 - Along trench North-west 20 Trench 10 - Along trench West 21 Trench 10 - Machine trench being dug East 22 Trench 3 - Machine digging South-west 23 Trench 7 - Stones first exposed North 24 Trench 7 - Stones first exposed North 25 Trench 7 - Stones being cleaned North 26 Trench 3 - Collapsed N facing North section 27 Trench 3 - Collapsed N facing North section 28 Trench 3 - Collapsed N facing North section 29 Trench 7 - Further stones exposed North 30 Trench 7 - Further stones exposed North 31 Trench 7 - Stones being cleaned West 32 Trench 7 - Stones being cleaned West 33 Trench 7 - Stones being cleaned North 34 Trench 7 - Stones fully exposed West

Mono Film 2 Number Subject Direction from 1 Sea defences to west of Trench 11 2 Proposed route of sewage pipe West 3 Trench 11 - Under excavation North 4 Trench 11 - Location North-east 5 Trench 11 - Location North-east 6 Trench 11 - Post excavation South 7 Trench 11 - Post excavation South 8 Trench 11 - West facing section West 9 Skaill Bay view 10 Trench 12 - East facing section East 11 Trench 12 - Stone feature North 12 Trench 12 - Stone feature North 13 Trench 12 - Stone feature West 14 Trench 12 - Stone feature North 15 Trench 13 - Location South-west 16 Trench 12 - Location South-east 17 Stone channel in stone structure North-east 18 Stone channel in stone structure North-east 19 Trench 13 - relation of channel North-east and feature (036) 20 Trench 13 - relation of channel North-east and feature (036) 21 Trench 13 and stone feature East 22 Trench 13 - Linear feature West 23 Trench 13 - Baulk section of linear East feature (036) 24 Trench 13 - West facing section West through linear feature (036) 25 Trench 13 - Post excavation North 26 Trench 13 - Post excavation West 27 Trench 14 - Mid excavation South 28 Trench 14 - Post excavation East 29 Trench 14 - Post excavation North 30 Skara Brae 31 Skara Brae

Mono Film 3 Number Subject Direction from 1 Trench 19 - Dyke bed after cleaning North 2 Trench 19 - Dyke bed after cleaning South 3 Trench 19 - Dyke bed after cleaning West 4 Trench 19 - North facing section North dyke bed 5 Trench 15 - Stone walling after South-west cleaning 6 Trench 15 - Detail of stone walling West 7 Trench 15 - Detail of stone walling West 8 Trench 22 - General North 9 Trench 22 - General West 10 Trench 22 - General South 11 Trench 23 - Stone walling South 12 Trench 23 - Stone walling West 13 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 14 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 15 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 16 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 17 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 18 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 19 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 20 Trench 23 - Stone walling after South cleaning 21 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 22 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 23 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 24 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West

Colour Slide 1 Number Subject Direction from 1 Film Number board 2 Trench 1 - c 1 m deep North 3 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep South 4 Trench 3 - During deturfing South East 5 Trench 1 - East facing section East 6 Trench 1 - Wall foundation North 7 Trench 1 - Wall foundation North 8 Trench 1 - Section and bird burial [003] South 9 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep East 10 Trench 2 - c 1 m deep East 11 Trench 2 - Wall foundation South 12 Trench 2 - Wall foundation South 13 Trench 2 - Wall foundation West 14 Trench 2 - Stone dyke with burn East to North 15 Trench 2 - Stone dyke with burn East to North 16 Trench 2 - Stone dyke with burn East to North 17 Trench 2 - Stone dyke with burn East to North 18 Trench 5 - Square cut [005] and North bird burial 19 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench South-east 20 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench South-east 21 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench East 22 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench East 23 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench East 24 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench East 25 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench East 26 Trench 7 - Machine digging trench East 27 Trench 7 - Machine digging trench North-east 28 Trench 7 - Machine digging trench North 29 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 30 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 31 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 32 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 33 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 34 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West 35 Trench 6 - Machine digging trench West

Colour Slide 2 Number Subject Direction from 1 Sea defence to west of trench 11 West 2 Sea defence to west of trench 11 West 3 Proposed route of sewage pipe West 4 Trench 11 - Under excavation North 5 Trench 11 - Under excavation North 6 Trench 11 - Post excavation South 7 Trench 11 - Post excavation South 8 Trench 11 - West facing section West 9 Trench 11 - East facing section East 10 Trench 11 - East facing section East 11 Trench 11 - East facing section East 12 Trench 12 - Stone spread (033) North 13 Trench 12 - Stone spread (033) West 14 Trench 12 - Stone spread (033) West 15 Trench 12 - Stone spread (033) North 16 Location of Trenches 11 and 12 North-east 17 Location of Trench 12 South 18 Trench 13 - Stone drain at base East of round stone feature 19 Trench 13 - Linear feature [035] and North-east location of stone drain 20 Trench 13 - Linear feature [035] and North-east location of stone drain 21 Trench 13 - Linear feature [035] and North-east location of stone drain 22 Trench 13 - Linear feature [035] West 23 Trench 13 - Baulk section through East linear feature [035] 24 Trench 13 - Section through linear West feature [035] 25 Trench 13 - Post excavation North 26 Trench 13 - Post excavation West 27 Trench 14 - Under excavation North 28 Trench 14 - Under excavation North-east 29 Trench 14 - Post excavation East 30 Trench 14 - Post excavation East

Colour Slide 3 Number Subject Direction from 1 Trench 19 - Dyke bed [038] after cleaning North 2 Trench 19 - Dyke bed [038] after cleaning North 3 Trench 19 - Dyke bed [038] after cleaning West 4 Trench 19 - North facing section North through dyke bed [038] 5 Trench 19 - Dyke bed [038] after cleaning South 6 Trench 15 - Stone walling (037) after West cleaning 7 Trench 15 - Stone walling (037) detail West 8 Trench 15 - Stone walling (037) detail West 9 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) before South cleaning 10 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) South 11 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) West 12 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) detail South 13 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) detail South 14 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) detail South 15 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) detail South-west 16 Trench 23 - Stone walling (037) South 17 Trench 22 - General South 18 Trench 22 - General East 19 Trench 22 - General North 20 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 21 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 22 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 23 Cliff erosion in bay showing old ground surfaces (NGR 229 187) West 24 Voydale farm East 25 Machines working in enclosed area East 26 Trench 23 - Shoring in place South East 27 Trench 23 - Shoring in place East 28 General view from West

Colour Print 1 Number Subject Direction from 1 Film Number Board 2 Trench 7 during excavation North 3 Trench 7 during excavation North 4 Trench 4 West facing section West 5 Trench 4 West facing section West 6 Trench 4 West facing section West 7 Trench 4 South facing section South 8 Trench 4 South facing section South 9 Trench 3 South facing section South-west 10 Trench 3 South facing section South-west 11 Trench 3 South facing section South-west 12 Trench 10 North facing section North-west 13 Trench 10 West facing section West 14 Trench 9 South facing section South-west 15 Trench 9 East facing section North-east 16 Trench 9 East facing section North-east 17 Trench 9 East facing section North-east 18 Trench 8 West facing section North-west 19 Trench 8 West facing section South-west 20 Trench 8 West facing section South-west 21 Trench 8 South facing section South 22 Trench 8 South facing section South 23 Trench 8 during excavation East 24 Trench 8 during excavation East 25 Trench 8 during excavation East 26 Trench 8 during excavation East 27 Trench 8 during excavation North 28 Trench 8 East Facing section East 29 Trench 8 East facing section East 30 Trench 4 General South 31 Trench 4 General South 32 Trench 4 East facing section detail East 33 Trench 4 East facing section detail East 34 Trench 7 During excavation West 35 Trench 7 During excavation West 36 Trench 7 During excavation West

Colour Print 2 Number Subject Direction from 1 Film Number Board 2 Not Applicable 3 Not Applicable 4 Not Applicable 5 Not Applicable 6 Not Applicable 7 Not Applicable 8 Trench 7 During excavation North 9 Trench 7 Post excavation North 10 Trench 7 Post excavation North 11 Trench 7 Post excavation North 12 Trench 7 Post excavation South 13 Trench 7 Post excavation South 14 Trench 7 Post excavation South 15 Not Applicable 16 Not Applicable 17 Trench 7 During excavation North 18 Trench 7 During excavation North 19 Trench 7 During excavation North 20 Trench 7 During excavation North 21 Trench 7 During excavation North 22 Trench 7 During excavation North 23 Trench 7 During excavation North 24 Trench 7 During excavation North 25 Trench 7 During excavation West 26 Trench 7 During excavation West 27 Trench 7 During excavation West 28 Trench 7 During excavation South-west 29 Trench 7 During excavation South-west 30 Trench 7 During excavation South-west 31 Trench 7 During excavation North 32 Trench 7 During excavation North 33 Trench 7 During excavation North 34 Trench 7 During excavation North 35 Trench 3 North facing section North-east 36 Trench 3 North facing section North-east 37 Trench 3 North facing section North-east

Colour Print 3 Number Subject Direction from 1 Trench 7 During excavation North 2 Trench 7 During excavation North 3 Trench 7 During excavation North 4 Trench 7 During excavation North 5 Trench 7 During excavation North-east 6 Trench 7 During excavation South 7 Trench 7 During excavation South 8 Trench 7 During excavation South-east 9 Trench 7 During excavation West 10 Trench 7 During excavation West 11 Trench 7 During excavation West 12 Trench 7 During excavation West 13 Trench 7 During excavation North-west 14-24 Not Applicable

Appendix 4 Sample list Sample Number Description Context Reason for sample 1 Fish bone 016 C-14 2 Mammal bone 016 C-14 3 Bulk sample 036 Potential plant/pollen remains 4 Bulk sample 039 C-14 dating

Appendix 5 List of figures in text Fig. Number Title Scale 1 Site Location 2 Location of trenches 3 Context (016) - Post excavation 1:20 4 Context (037) - Post excavation 1:20 5 Context (039) - Post excavation 1:20