Description

The monument consists of the remains of a neolithic to Iron Age occupation site. The site, which lies in an area of sand dunes on the SE coast of Toe Head peninsula, partly exposed by wind erosion, was partially excavated by D D A Simpson in 1965. The excavation revealed four layers of occupation. The first contained pottery similar to that produced by the neolithic kilns at Eilean an Tigh and from the chambered cairns of Unival and Clettraval on North Uist.

It also held an oval setting containing the skeleton of a child. Above this was another midden, against which were the remains of an oval house with interior postholes which was possibly subterranean. Within the house were found sherds of Beaker and other early Bronze Age pottery. Subsequently, but still during the Bronze Age, the site was re- occupied. A fourth phase contained two Iron Age middens, the uppermost being related to surface turf-covered enclosures.

There are no visible structural remains surviving the excavation, but extensive midden deposits survive, and there may be concealed structural remains. The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures a maximum of 120m N-S by 200m WNW-ESE as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a rare survival of a complex site that has been settled over a considerable period of time. Few instances of Neolithic occupation have been identified in the Western Isles area as many coastal sites have been lost due to a rise in sea level.

The settlement probably extends over a much larger area than that explored during the initial excavation. Further investigation may reveal more about the size of the settlement, its phasing, social organisation and material culture. It may also reveal more about the relationships between the different groups that occupied the site through time.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCHAMS records the monument as NF 99 SE 2.

Reference:

Simpson, D. (1966) 'A Neolithic settlement in the Outer Hebrides', Antiquity, vol. 40, 1337-9, No. 158.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland