Description

The monument consists of a large earthen bank, probably part of a prehistoric boundary system. The bank is of earth with a core of small boulders, and stretches from the head of the cliffs above Trea Wick into the waters of Loch of Watsness. It is approximately 1.5m high at its maximum, and up to 10m broad, although its width is difficult to judge as it merges gently with the flanking turf.

The bank aligns with a more recent boundary wall on the opposite shore of the loch, but comparative evidence from elsewhere suggests that the bank may be the only surviving portion of a very early boundary system, of which the wall is a modern replacement. The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, 30m across, running from the edge of the cliffs to the W end and 15m into the loch at the E end, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a potential survival of a Neolithic boundary system, of the type referred to in Orkney as a 'treb', but so far unrecognised in Shetland except for Fair Isle. As such, it has the potential to illuminate the nature of the primary land-taking of Shetland and may, through excavation and analysis, provide important evidence relating to the settlement and economy of prehistoric Shetland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU15SE 20.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland