Description

The monument comprises the remains of a burnt mound dating probably to the Bronze Age (between about 2000 and 800 BC). It is visible as a roughly circular grass-covered mound, measuring approximately 10m in diameter and standing up to 1.5m high, and appears to be well-preserved. In 1967, surveyors recorded that it is composed primarily of smallish stones, including burnt stones. At least 17 earth-fast stones protrude from its E face, indicating the likely presence of associated structures. The mound is situated in rough pasture around 40m W of the Burn of Woo and 200m from the coast. It is sited on low-lying, N-facing land at around 15m above sea level and overlooks Eynhallow Sound and Rousay to the NE. The monument was originally scheduled in 1936, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, measuring 20m 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. Specifically excluded from the scheduled area are the above-ground elements of a post-and-wire fence that crosses the W side of the monument, to allow for its maintenance.

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, of prehistoric society and the dating, form and function of burnt mounds and their placing within the landscape. This is a well-preserved example of its type in an area rich in other types of prehistoric site. 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 HY32NE 21.

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, 84, no 291.

ScARF 2013, Burnt Mounds, The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework, http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/content/331-burnt-mounds [accessed July 2013].

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

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

Towrie, S 2013, 'A brief history of Orkney - the Bronze Age', http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/bronzeage.htm [accessed July 2013].

Source: Historic Environment Scotland