DOCSLIB.ORG

WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK T

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK T ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 20:20 Page 274 WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK t h Sand Fiold, the area of sand advised that the kirk was a g i r y dunes at Skaill has been the liability, and recommended p o c site of several cist graves, demolition even though it n w o the most recent and spectac- was an A-listed building. It r C ular excavation being in was acquired for £1 in 1998 1989. A rock-cut hole 2m by the Scottish Redundant deep and over 3m square Churches Trust, which has contained a large flagstone completely renovated the cist, one side of which could building. Today the church be opened. Inside were the is open to visitors and hosts remains of three burials. In concerts, weddings and one corner a large urn con- other events. tained cremated remains and grass, while a mother and The nearby Knowe of foetus had been placed in Verron (HY231198), an another corner, but not cre- Iron Age site with evidence The Bay of Skaill and Skara Brae from the southeast mated. Finally more cre- of metal working overlooks be known, was soon in the chambered cairn which has mated remains lay in the the north side of the Bay of hands of the state, and was been almost completely centre and had been covered Skaill. This is probably a transferred to Edinburgh, robbed out. in something like matting. small broch, which has been where it remains. SANDWICK (ON Sand Nearby Skaill House dates dug into in the past to reveal Kierfiold House overlooks Vik, sandy bay) The Bay of from the 17th century, The burials were made about a flagstone floor, a central the Loch of Skaill from the Skaill has a beautiful, if although there was almost 2000 BC, and so far this hearth and internal divi- north, and has a large walled variable, beach. This is one certainly a large Norse farm- tomb is unique, other cists sions. A vitrified stone, garden which is open to the of the best places on the stead near here long before being much smaller and not thought to be the base of a public in the summer. Apart west side of the Mainland that. The Loch of Skaill has re-used. The fact that not furnace, has disappeared. from the displays of flowers for wave-watching, and many wintering wildfowl, very much tangible evidence and shrubs, this is an excel- depending on winter storms, while in summer waders are of the Bronze Age in Orkney In 1858 David Linklater was lent place to seek out butter- it may be very sandy or all abundant around its edges. has so far come to light may digging above the shore near flies and bumblebees. rounded pebbles and large The banks beside the road well indicate that much the kirk, when he came boulders. At low tide the past the loch are particularly remains to be discovered. across some silver items. The Stones of Via sand is exposed, while in beautiful in May with prim- Before long 9 brooches, 14 (HY260160) near the Loch westerly gales a spectacular roses in flower, while later St Peter’s Kirk, at the north necklets, 27 armlets and a of Clumley is a pile of large surf breaks here. The inter- the loch shores are a sea of end of the Bay of Skaill was large numbers of coins, stones in a shallow depres- nationally renowned prehis- Meadowsweet and Irises in built in 1837 as the ingots and small pieces of sion about 80m in diameter. toric village of Skara Brae bloom. Sandwick Parish Church silver amounting to 7kg in This enigmatic site may pos- is at the south end of the bay. under the Reverend Charles all had been found. The Clouston, a forebear of Skaill Hoard, as it came to sibly be the remains of a Skaill hoard brooch (replica) Excavating the Sandfiold burial cist Storer Clouston the author St Peter’s Kirk, Bay of Skaill The interior is original and dates from 1837 and historian. It is a rare sur- vival of a 19th century Scots Presbyterian kirk in its most austere form. By the 1960s, St Peter's was used occa- sionally for worship and by the 1970s, only for funerals, the last being in 1984. A 1988 a report by the Presbytery of Orkney 274 275 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 20:20 Page 276 WEST MAINLAND - YESNABY TO SKAILL WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK place to live! other hand in a winter s storm the cliffs become dark Yesnaby is one of the most and brooding as clouds attractive places anywhere streak past and the sun in Orkney to visit. The less comes and goes on huge energetic can admire the waves. view from their car, or from the shelter of the World War Just north of the car park II military buildings, which there is an exposure of stro- were used for gunnery prac- matolites, which are fos- tice. Primula scotica, Grass silised cyanobacteria (blue- of Parnassus and Spring green algae) which lived in Aerial view of the Brough of Bigging, Yesnaby Squill can be seen from the the Devonian period, about side of the road here. 350 million years ago. These primitive photosyn- South from the car park is thetic organisms fixed car- the Noust of Bigging bon and released oxygen (HY220159), where fisher- into the environment. Some men used to pull up their of these stromatolites are boats, sheltered by the said to resemble horses Brough of Bigging, another teeth. It should be noted that excellent place to watch these and all other fossils are huge Atlantic waves smash- protected by law. ing into the cliffs on a rough Row Head, on the south side of the Bay of Skaill day. Few places give a bet- The Castle of Yesnaby South from Skaill The There are good views from ter impression of the power (HY218153) stands in its own Brough of Bigging, Yesnaby Hole o'Row (HY224190), here both to North and South of the sea than this spot dur- bay, Garthna Geo. The Old on the south side of the bay, along the coast, and the walk ing a northwesterly gale! Man of Hoy can be seen is a large cave which has from here to Yesnaby is very from here, dwarfed by the pierced right through the fine. Passing the Ness of The relatively low cliffs, higher St John’s Head. headland, and through Ramnageo, we reach with their dramatic shapes Yesnaby Castle has often which the sea breaks in Borwick (HY224168), with and warm colours, take on been used as practice by rough weather. Care should its ruinous broch, perched different aspects depending those about to climb its be taken on the slippery precariously on the edge of on the weather and season. larger brother. On a clear rocks. the cliffs. This can provide On a fine summer s evening day the Sutherland hills in Row Head (59m) is the start excellent shelter for wave- all is peace and the colours the distance extend all the of one of the finest stretches watching, but must have of the rocks are enhanced by way to Cape Wrath. of cliff scenery in Orkney. been a damp and draughty the evening light. On the Yesnaby Castle with Thrift Broch of Borwick, north of Yesnaby, has a settlement on its east side The Hole o'Row is a natural arch Spring Squill Primula scotica Stromatolite at Yesnaby 276 277 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 20:20 Page 278 WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK WEST MAINLAND - SANDWICK SANDWICK ATTRACTIONS Bay of Skaill Skara Brae Skaill House Hole o'Row row Head Ramna Geo Broch of Borwick Yesnaby Brough of Bigging Yesnaby Castle Primula scotica The Loch of Stenness from Upper Voy, looking southeast towards the Orphir Hills Aerial view of Skeabrae from the northwest with the Loch of Harray Voy Veron Point Ancient igneous rocks out- Nearby, at Vestrafiold, walling, which includes World War II In World important throughout the Broch of Stackrue crop at Yesnaby from monoliths still lie on the hill- many large stones. In the War II, two airfields were war and although there were Ring of Bookan beneath the Stromness flag- side awaiting transport. field opposite the outline of built in the West Mainland. only a few actions latterly, Burrian Broch stones. Uranium occurs in There are more on the an ancient chapel and grave- Much of the area has now this underlines the effective- Loch of Clumley and Broch Stones of Via these basal beds which are Northdyke hill above Huan. yard can be made out. been cleared, but some of ness of the system. There Skeabrae also exposed at Stromness the buildings, including the was also a Ground Control Cruaday Quarry and on Graemsay. A vigor- Voy There are good vantage Several brochs and burnt control tower at Twatt, have Interception Station at Vestrafiold monoliths St Peter’s Kirk ous campaign was fought in points near Voy to watch mounds line the shores of so far not been destroyed. Skeabrae. Broch of Verron the late 1970s to prevent waterfowl on the Loch of the Loch of Stenness, There are plans to turn this Loch of Skaill exploratory drilling of these Stenness, as the road passes including those at the Ness into an Interpretation Centre Kierfiold House gardens deposits. Few issues have close by the shore. From the of Voy and Redland. There in future. Walk south to Stromness Walk north to Birsay so galvanised the local com- road above the farm of are also broch sites below munity as this and a sign in Upper Voy the view takes in Tenston and Burrian on the These airfields were impor- Stromness saying, "NO URANI- a lovely combination of west side Loch of Harray.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Excavations of a Medieval Cemetery at Skaill House, and a Cist in the Bay of Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney
    Proc Soc Antic/ Scot, 129 (1999), 753-777 Excavation medievaa f so l cemeter t Skailya l Housed an , a cist in the Bay of Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney Heather F James* with contribution LorimeH D RobertJ y sb r& s ABSTRACT A medieval cemetery structuraland remains were discovered during drainage works Skaillat House, Sandwick, Orkney. Several skeletons were salvaged Orkneythe by Islands Archaeologist laterand excavations by GUARD revealed further cisted burials. These have been radiocarbon dated to between llth14th the Skaillof and upper centuries.the Bay cisteda half the of At burialwas salvaged been afterhad it exposed effects the coastalof by erosion. radiocarbonA date fromthe bone shows that burialthe belongs sevenththe to century StructuralAD. elementspre-dating cistthe were also eroding seenthe in cliff-face, theseand were probably prehistoric. excavationThe and publication were funded Historicby Scotland. INTRODUCTION In October 1996, while monitoring the digging of a new drainage and waste water disposal system around Skaill House, Sandwick, Orkney (NGR: HY 2346 1860), Raymond Lamb, Orkney Islands Archaeologist s e discoveralerteth wa , o t d f humao y n remains withi e drainagnth e construction trench. Assisted by Julie Gibson, Historic Scotland Field Warden, he undertook salvage excavation skeletone th f so s whic beed hha n disturbed pipe Th .e trenc expandes hwa n di orde excavato rt removd ean buriae eon l whose skul withiy lla nstona e box. recognizes wa t I d tha remaine tth s were unforesee proposale th drainag e y nth b r sfo e works werd an e potentially importan understandine th o t t Skaillf archaeologo e y th n f ,Ba a go e th f yo area ric prehistorin hi medievad can l remains, includin renownee gth d prehistoric villag Skarf eo a Brae Raymons .A d Lamb' t havs resourceoffice no eth d edi completo st excavationse eth , Historic Scotland agree mako dt e funds availabl investigatioe th r efo recordind nan furthef go r skeletons which were likel encounterede b yo t Novembern I .
    [Show full text]
  • Late Norse High-Status Sites Around the Bay of Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney
    Late Norse high-status sites around the Bay of Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney James M. Irvine THE immediate hinterland of the Bay of Skaill in Orkney’s west Mainland is best known for the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, but it has a wealth of other early settlement and funerary sites, including at least two Iron Age brochs, while its Norse burial sites and ubiquitous place-names testify to its occupation during this period as well. Alas, the area was not mentioned in ‘Orkneyinga Saga’, and until recently no Norse settlement sites had been found, nor had much local history been published. However, there is now a growing corpus of multi-disciplinary research, notably two theses by Sarah Jane Gibbon née Grieve (1999, 2006), my own work on the Breckness estate (Irvine 2009a), and the major, on-going Birsay-Skaill Landscape Archaeology Project directed by David Griffiths of Oxford University (2005, 2006, 2011), coupled with the stimulus of the Research Agenda of The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (Historic Scotland 2008). This prompts consideration of when and why four high-status sites in this area, shown in Figure 1 – St. Peter’s Kirk, the Castle of Snusgar, Stove, and Skaill House – may have developed and interacted during the late Norse period.1 The objective of this paper is not to pre-empt the important archaeological findings of Griffiths and his colleagues, but to introduce some hypotheses that will hopefully help stimulate further historical research and discussion on this important area and period. St. Peter’s Kirk This building has been restored by the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust and its modern history recorded (Irvine 2003), but little is known of the early history of the site, and no archaeological work has been undertaken.
    [Show full text]
  • Where Is Skara Brae ? the Skara Brae Is Located About 31 Km Northwest of Kirkwall, in the Archipelago of the Orkney Islands, Scotland
    Skara Brae in Scotland An ancient dwelling at the prehistoric village of Skara Brae The Prehistoric village of Skara Brae is situated near the white sand beach of the Bay of Skaill. In the winter of 1850, a storm revealed the Europe's best-preserved ruins of the Neolithic village that portray the life of the people about 5,000 years ago. The monuments are even older than the Stonehenge and the Pyramids. The people in the Neolithic age were masters in construction. The sunken houses could be reached by passing through a door (wooden or stone slab), secured with a wood or whalebone bar. It also provided privacy to the inhabitants. The ancient homes featured stone beds, dressers, and seats. For storage, the arrangement was done behind the walls of the House Number 5. There was also a secured space behind the hair dresser. The more accessible storage was used to store the everyday use items such as pottery, etc. These houses were connected via narrow, covered lanes. There is a building in the settlement, which can't be called a house, as it is deprived of the beds and a dresser. Marked as Structure 8, this building, probably, was used as a workshop for making stone tools or possibly for pottery. During the winters, due to the harsh weather, the cafe near the village doesn't open frequently. You may buy souvenirs from the gift shop that sells local items. The Skara Brae has an informative visitor center that shares valuable information via touch screen presentations, and investigatory quizzes for both the children and adults.
    [Show full text]
  • Isbn 1 903570 21 2
    ISBN 1 903570 21 2 Sources of further information Information about individual sites in Orkney (and Enquires about this Management Plan and how World anywhere else in Scotland): Heritage status affects monuments in Orkney should be http://www.rcahms.gov.uk directed to Dr Sally Foster (see below). http://www.scran.ac.uk For information on general World Heritage issues in Information about Historic Scotland: Scotland contact Malcolm Bangor-Jones of Historic http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk Scotland. Tel: 0131 668 8810. E-mail: [email protected] The local Sites and Monuments Record, maintained by the Orkney Archaeological Trust, is another source of Nomination of The Heart of Neolithic Orkney for inclusion information about individual sites and for advice on in the World Heritage List is available from Historic unscheduled monuments in general. Scotland (£10 plus p&p). For all Historic Scotland publications: Historic Scotland’s booklet, The Ancient Monuments of Telephone: 0131 668 8752. Orkney (£4.95, Historic Scotland) provides an accessi- E-mail: [email protected] ble introduction to the main archaeological visitor attractions on Orkney, including the WHS. A number of web sites can be accessed: See also Anna Ritchie’s Prehistoric Orkney and Patrick Ashmore’s Neolithic and Bronze Age Scotland Information about the WHS: (£15.99, Batsford/Historic Scotland). Official Souvenir http://www.unesco.org/whc/sites/514.htm Colour Guides exist for Maes Howe and Skara Brae (£2.50 each). Information on the World
    [Show full text]
  • Ms Olly Owen
    AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND WATCHING BRIEF AT VOYDALE, ORKNEY. GUARD 437 An Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief for Historic Scotland 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 Skara Brae, 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 Bay of Skaill 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.
    [Show full text]
  • New Late Holocene Palaeoenvironmental Records from Loonan and Blythemo, Mainland, Orkney
    New Late Holocene palaeoenvironmental records from Loonan and Blythemo, Mainland, Orkney A thesis submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities August 2016 Geneviève Marie Potts School of Environment, Education and Development LIST OF CONTENTS List Of Figures 5 List Of Tables 6 Abstract 7 Declaration 8 Copyright Statement 8 Acknowledgements 9 Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Background 10 1.2 Importance Of This Research 11 Chapter 2 – Regional Context 2.1 Introduction 12 2.2 Physical Description of Orkney 12 2.3 Orkney Climate 13 2.4 Solid Geology 16 2.5 Quaternary Glaciations 19 2.6 Superficial deposits 22 2.7 Holocene Sea Level change 23 2.8 Modern vegetation and land use 24 2.9 Archaeological background of Orkney 26 2.10 Previous paleoecological research on Orkney 32 2.10.1 Woodland development on Orkney 32 2.10.2 Removal of the woodland 35 2.10.3 The development of the heathland communities 36 2.10.4 The impact of Iron age and later societies 36 2.10.5 Shetland 37 2.10.6 North West Scotland 38 2.11 Importance of the research and research aims 39 2 2.12 Site identification 40 2.12.1 Site 1: Loonan 43 2.12.2 Site 2: Blythemo 46 2.13 Conclusions 48 Chapter 3 – Methods 3.1 Introduction 50 3.2 Rationale 50 3.3 Modern climatic data 52 3.4 Field methods 53 3.5 Sampling and storage 55 3.6 Background of methods 56 3.6.1 Peat 56 3.7 Laboratory methods 58 3.7.1 Humification 58 3.7.2 Pollen analysis 61 3.7.3 Charcoal 65 3.7.4 Geochemistry 66 3.7.5 Dating methods 68 3.8 Conclusion 70
    [Show full text]
  • Men of Worth Tour 'Inverness & Orkney' 'Inverness & Orkney' Tour 2021
    Men of Worth tour ‘Inverness & Orkney’ Oct 2021 Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle ‘Inverness & Orkney’ Tour 2021 (Blair Castle; Stones of Stenness; Ring of Brodgar; Brough of Birsay; Corrigall Farm Museum; Italian Chapel; Scapa Flow; Scara Brae & Skaill House; Kirkwall - St Magnus Cathedral; Scapa Distillery; Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness; Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre; Culloden Battlefield) 10 Nights: Sat 2 Oct – Mon 11 Oct (Dispersing morning of 12th Oct) The Holiday Inn @ GLA 1 night Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (1 night pre Orkney + 3 nights post Orkney) 4 nights Orkney Hotel, Kirkwall 4 nights The Holiday Inn @ GLA 1 night $2,950 Per/Person (Sharing room, Double or Twin) $3,450 Per/Person (Single) Check or money order only, payable to Minch Music. (No credit card, sorry) Minch Music 8034 Avalos Way, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 USA Includes: 10 nights Dinner, B&B — Coach — Ferries — Activities/Visits — Meal-tips. Excludes: Air Travel — Lunches — Driver-tip — Insurance. Contact: Donnie Macdonald (916) 723-6320 (916) 214-4776 (cell) E-mail: [email protected] www.menofworth.com Proposed Itinerary Day 1 Saturday, 2nd Oct, 2021 Activity As tour members arrive independently at Glasgow Airport, cross the road to the Holiday Inn, and check in under MINCH MUSIC TOUR. (Note: The Holiday Inn, and NOT the Holiday Inn Express) Gather in the bar for a Welcome Drink at 6.00pm, prior to Dinner at 7.00pm. Evening After Dinner, Evening free to relax, and prepare for morning departure. Hotel Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport (D. B.) Day 2 Sunday, 3rd Oct, 2021 Activity Drive north by way of the A-9 road passing Stirling, Perth, Pitlochry en route.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heart of Neolithic Orkney in Its Contemporary Contexts: Angela Mcclanahan
    The Heart of Neolithic Orkney in its Contemporary Contexts: A case study in heritage management and community values Angela McClanahan School of Art History and Archaeology The University of Manchester A project grant aided by: Historic Scotland The University of Manchester North American Foundation © Angela J. McClanahan 2004 Contents: List of Illustrations iii Abbreviations and Conventions v Acknowledgements vi 1.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 1 Project Background…………………………………………. 1 Aims……………………………………………………………. 4 Objectives…………………………………………………..… 4 Report Structure…………………………………………….. 4 2.0 Project Approach: Theory and Method…………………………….. 6 Approaches to Heritage…………………………………… 9 Trends in visitor and community studies……………….. 9 Specific project description………………………………. 11 Summary……………………………………………………. 12 3.0 Orkney: a geographic, historical and social overview………… 14 The history of archaeological exploration and management in Orkney……………………………… 16 Orkney: perceptions and practices……………………… 17 Heritage, representation and the construction of Orkney………………………….. 20 Conclusions………………………………………………… 25 4.0 Heritage Management: mediating the past…………………….. 27 Conservation………………………………………………. 28 Presentation……………………………………………….. 29 Partnerships and stakeholders………………………….. 31 Conclusions……………………………………………….. 34 5.0 Experiencing the past……………………………………………. 36 The Ring of Brodgar………………………………………. 37 Access……………………………………………………….. 38 Presentation………………………………………………… 41 Place…………………………………………………………. 43 Practices…………………………………………………….. 44 Coach and
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Studies of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site
    COMMISSIONED REPORT Landscape Studies of The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Report No. F00LA01A For further information on this report please contact: Laura Campbell or Gail Churchill Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Natural Heritage 17 Rubislaw Terrace 54–56 Junction Road Aberdeen AB10 1XE Kirkwall KW15 1AW Tel: 01224 642863 Tel: 01856 875302 This report should be quoted as: David Tyldesley and Associates (2001). Landscape Studies of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. F00LA01A This report or any part of it should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage which will not be unreasonably withheld. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. © Scottish Natural Heritage 2000. COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary Landscape Studies of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Report No. F00LA01A Background A new World Heritage Site (WHS) known as the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” was designated in 2000, covering several internationally important sites in west Mainland and overlapping with the National Scenic Area (NSA). Considerable development pressure exists, particularly for housing, and there was concern about the impacts this could have on the new designation. Historic Scotland and SNH jointly funded this landscape capacity study to analyse the situation and provide guidance. Aquaculture (fin-fish and shellfish farms) has developed in Orkney since the late 1970s. The landscape and visual impacts of these developments on the seascapes and landscapes of the county can be significant. This part of the study was commissioned to link in with a proposed Orkney Islands Council fish farming framework plan and Scotland-wide guidance being prepared by SNH.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    The Archaeology of sand landscapes: looking for an integrated approach David Griffiths University of Oxford Scottish Archaeological Internet Report 48, 2011 www.sair.org.uk CONTENTS List of Illustrations. 12 1 The Archaeology of Sand Landscapes: Looking for an Integrated Approach . 13 2 References. 22 11 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 1. Map: Bay of Skaill, Sandwick Parish, Orkney . 1 2. Magnetometer survey on north side of Skaill Bay, 2003–06. 17 3. Mound of Snusgar: topographic survey model (viewed as from SE). 18 4. Magnetometer survey near Skara Brae, 2003 . 20 1 THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF SAND landscapes: looking FOR AN integrated APPROACH The coastal dune systems and semi-stabilised Dundrum, Co. Down (Collins 192, 199). The style machair of Scotland represent a vast but still largely of the time was to treat archaeological exposures in unquantified archaeological and palaeoenvironmen- sand as discrete sites and to excavate them using tal resource. They are an inherently fragile, unstable standard terrestrial techniques – there being as yet and changing environment and therefore highly little understanding of the effects on archaeologi- susceptible to erosion, providing a significant man- cal material of the mechanisms of post-depositional agement dilemma for curatorial authorities. Few change in this type of environment. The very fact such landscapes, even in the wider context of Britain that erosion and dune deflation provided the and Ireland, have yet been subjected to anything main means of identifying deposits which were like a comprehensive characterisation study, encom- subsequently investigated, means that the associ- passing prospection, sampling and investigation, ated data-capture was severely affected by in situ resulting in well-informed selective preservation or destruction, migration and turbation of deposits.
    [Show full text]
  • Orkney Islands and Discover What the Houses Were Like to Live Before Closing • Telephone 01856 751414 A966
    GO EXPLORE From only £19, The Orkney Explorer Pass gives you access to all our attractions – a great value way ORKNEY to explore Scotland’s history. Ask our staff for details, or visit ISLANDS historicenvironment.scot/explorer Explore a breathtaking landscape and discover ON YOUR VISIT rich World Heritage sites • Many of our Orkney sites are • For details about travelling exposed to the elements so around Orkney visit dress appropriately visitorkney.com • Opening times: • For ferry information please Summer (26 Mar to 30 Sept) call Orkney Ferries Ltd on open seven days 9.30am to 01856 872044 5.30pm. Winter (1 Oct to 31 Mar) • Tide times for Birsay available open seven days 10am to 4pm. at all Historic Scotland For details of late night opening staffed sites hours in the summer season and for our Christmas and New Year opening hours, please visit historicenvironment.scot/ visit-a-place Car Picnic Strong Footwear Parking Area Recommended Bus Display May be closed at lunchtime, Parking on History please call in advance (w) Winter only Gold Green Tourism Toilets Shop Business Award Bicycle Children’s Silver Green Tourism Rack Quiz Available Business Award Visitor Restaurant/ Centre Café VisitScotland Quality Grading Disabled Dogs not Toilets Permitted Accessible by Mobility Scooter Public Transport Available FIND US ON Opening times and admission prices Historic Environment Scotland are correct at time of publication, Discover 1,500 years of history Scottish Charity No. SC045925 but may be liable to change. Skara Brae Maeshowe Broch of Gurness
    [Show full text]
  • Soil and Sediment-Based Cultural Records and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Buffer Zones
    Soil and Sediment-based Cultural Records and The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Buffer Zones Jonathan Paul Cluett Statement of Originality I hereby confirm that this is an original study conducted independently by the undersigned and that the work contained herein has not been submitted for any other degree. All research material has been duly acknowledged and cited. Signature of candidate: __________________________ Date: __________________________ Abstract The designation of World Heritage Sites (WHS) by UNESCO is the principal international and formally recognised strategy allowing the conservation of sites of outstanding cultural value throughout the world. This study demonstrates that soils and sediments influenced by cultural activities retain cultural records (soils and sediments-based cultural records, hereafter abbreviated to SSBCR) associated with WHS, and further the understanding and contribute to the cultural value of WHS. Considering The Heart of Neolithic Orkney WHS and its surrounding landscape as the study location, systematic fieldwork is combined with geoarchaeological analyses including soil organic matter content, pH, particle size distribution, phosphorus concentration, soil magnetism and thin section micromorphology to determine the nature of the SSBCR. Chronologies of the formation of SSBCR and of palaeo-environmental records were ascertained using radiocarbon analyses and optically stimulated luminescence analysis. Findings of particular importance to the interpretation of the WHS are the identification of a Late Neolithic SSBCR located between the WHS monuments. This SSBCR is a valuable cultural record of a specific Late Neolithic community and provides significant insight into the interaction between settlement and ritual aspects of the Orcadian Late Neolithic. An understanding of these interactions is of crucial importance to a fuller interpretation of the WHS and to the wider discussion of the Orcadian Neolithic.
    [Show full text]