Description

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved burnt mound, dating probably to the second millennium BC (Bronze Age). It survives as a substantial crescent-shaped grass-covered mound, measuring approximately 27m E-W by 20m N-S and standing over 2m high. It is composed mainly of accumulated burnt stones and other burnt material. Two hollow areas to the NW and NE potentially represent two activity areas or trough sites. The mound is situated on low-lying boggy ground, immediately N of what was originally the Burn of Eversti. It is located some 300m inland from the NW coast of Orkney Mainland, at around 50m above sea level. The monument was originally scheduled in 1937, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present rescheduling 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. This is a well-preserved example of its type and its proximity to several other burnt mounds (such as the Knowe of Netherskaill and the Knowe of Garraquoy, both just over 1km away) gives it added 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 3.

ReferencesAnthony, I 2003, Luminescence Dating of Scottish Burnt Mounds: New Investigations in Orkney and Shetland, Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.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, 33, nos. 185, 189.

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

Toolis, R 2005, 'Excavation of a burnt mound at Meur, Sanday, Orkney', Scottish Archaeol J, 29(1).

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

Towrie, S 2013, 'A Brief History of Orkney, The Bronze Age', <http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/bronzeage.htm>.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/1919/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland