Description

The monument comprises the remains of a burnt mound dating probably to the Bronze Age (second millennium BC). It survives as a roughly crescent-shaped grass-covered mound, measuring approximately 20m E-W by 30m N-S and standing up to 1m high. Traces of hollows may indicate some earlier disturbance, but overall the mound survives in reasonable condition. The burnt mound is situated inland at around 20m above sea level, some 750m NW of the Loch of Isbister, in an area of low-lying boggy ground. The monument was originally scheduled in 1939, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 50m in diameter, as shown in red on the accompanying map. It includes 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.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the past, in particular, the dating, form and function of burnt mounds and their placing within the landscape. The Knowe of Dale is a reasonably well preserved and unusually large example of a burnt mound, and is likely to preserve internal structures, such as a hearth and water trough. It is one of several burnt mounds in the vicinity, which adds to its potential to enhance our understanding of burnt mounds as components of the wider prehistoric landscape in Orkney. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the origins, function and development of burnt mounds and the nature of later prehistoric society and economy in Orkney.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY22SW 22.

References

Anthony, I 2003, Luminescence dating of Scottish burnt mounds: new investigations in Orkney and Shetland (unpubl PhD thesis, University of Glasgow).

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, 32-3, no 89.

ScARF 2013, Burnt Mounds, The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework website, .

Toolis, R 2005, 'Excavation of a burnt mound at Meur, Sanday, Orkney', Scott Archaeol Jour 29, 31-49.

Topping, P 2011, Introduction to Heritage Assets: Burnt Mounds, English Heritage, UK.

Towrie, S 2013, A Brief History of Orkney - The Bronze Age,

Source: Historic Environment Scotland