Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric settlement mound and the site of a 17th century house, which are situated on the SW side of Strom Ness.

The substantial prehistoric settlement mound (at least 100m by 50m) is to the W of, but apparently discrete from, Burrian Broch. This settlement probably parallels and continues the settlement sequence at the Broch, a key site in our understanding of the development of later Iron Age settlement.

The southern extremities of the mound are subject to coastal erosion, and it can be seen that the mound comprises stone structures as well as middens and dumps of ash. Finds associated with a Viking pagan grave were discovered during the Second World War and are now in the museum in Stromness; other finds included stone, bone and bronze objects.

The earthworks on the W side of the Ness indicate the site of a house named in the valuations of 1653. A small kelp kiln is also to be found here.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan and measures up to 190m from NW to SE by 170m from N to S, to include the prehistoric, Norse and 17th century settlements and an area around in which evidence associated with their construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a large multi-period settlement mound which has the potential to provide information about the nature and development of later prehistoric, early medieval and post-medieval society, including the period of the transition from pagan to Christian beliefs.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY 75 SE 2, 19.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1980) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Sanday and North Ronaldsay, Orkney, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series no 11, 20, No. 114, Edinburgh.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland