Description

The monument comprises the remains of three burial mounds and two burnt mounds, dating probably to the Bronze Age (between about 2500 and 800 BC). The monument is visible as two groups of mounds in close proximity, lying on either side of a modern field boundary.

The N group comprises two substantial burnt mounds, with a smaller mound between them which is probably a barrow. The largest burnt mound comprises a crescent-shaped bank and measures 25m SW-NE by 16m transversely. The second burnt mound is also crescent-shaped with opposing banks and measures 18.5m SW-NE by 13m transversely. The barrow is located immediately adjacent to the northernmost burnt mound and measures 7m in diameter. The S group comprises two circular burial mounds or barrows. The largest to the E measures 16m in diameter and survives to a height of approximately 1m; at least one cist was reportedly found in this mound in antiquity. The smaller mound to the W survives to a height of 0.3m and measures 9m in diameter. The monument occupies low-lying moorland at around 5m above OD, 50m to 125m SW of Oyce of Isbister, a shallow salt-water lagoon separated from the Bay of Isbister by a narrow shingle spit. The monument was first scheduled in 1938, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The N and S groups are scheduled as two separate areas. Both areas are irregular in plan to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of a post-and-wire fence to allow for its maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of domestic and funerary practices in the Bronze Age. Burnt mounds and burial mounds are both important and relatively widespread elements of Orkney's Bronze Age landscape and provide evidence for the major social and economic changes which took place during this period. The examples at North Wald are generally in good condition and preserve their field characteristics to a marked degree. There is high potential for important archaeological remains to be preserved in all of these mounds. The barrows retain the potential to contain human remains and associated features: for instance, excavation of barrows elsewhere in Orkney has indicated the presence of mortuary structures, as well as burials. Burnt mounds in the Northern Isles are often relatively substantial, as at North Wald. These examples have an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the dating, form and function of burnt mounds and their placing within the landscape. The significance of this site is enhanced by the combination of domestic and burial features in the same location, as well as by the presence of other Bronze Age ritual and funerary remains occupying marginal ground NW of the Bay of Isbister. Our understanding of the form, function, inter-relationship and distribution of Bronze Age burial mounds and burnt mounds would be diminished if this monument was to be lost or damaged.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY31NE 8 and HY31NE 14.

References

Anthony, I 2003, Luminescence dating of Scottish burnt mounds: New investigations in Orkney and Shetland, Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow.

Barber, J 1990, 'Scottish burnt mounds: variations on a theme', in Buckley, V. (ed.), Burnt Offerings: International Contributions to Burnt Mound Archaeology, 92-97.

Downes, J 1995, 'Linga Fold', Current Archaeology, 142, 396-399Downes, J 1997, The Orkney Barrows Project survey results and management strategy. Unpublished report to Historic Scotland. ARCUS, University of Sheffield.

Hedges, J 1975, 'Excavation of two Orcadian burnt mounds at Liddle and Beaquoy', Proc Soc Antiq Scot 106, 39-98.

RCAHMS 1946, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Twelfth report with an inventory of the ancient monuments of Orkney and Shetland, 3v, Edinburgh, 84, no. 286.

ScARF 2013, 'Burnt mounds', The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework 3.3.1, http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/content/331-burnt-mounds.

Toolis, R 2005, 'Excavation of a burnt mound at Meur, Sanday, Orkney', Scottish Archaeological Journal 29(1), 31-49.

Topping, P 2011, Introduction to heritage assets: burnt mounds, English Heritage, UK.

Towrie, S 2013, 'The Knowes o' Trotty', http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knowestrotty/> [accessed August 2013].

Source: Historic Environment Scotland