Print

MHG1005 - Burnt Mound - Broubster Hill

Summary

A burnt mound with possible associated structure at Broubster.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A burnt mound with possible associated structure at Broubster.

Turf-covered burnt mound measuring 11m N-S by 6m and 0.9m high; it is formed by two distinct N and S peaks, a depression in the E faces a damp, reed-filled hollow. Where the turf has eroded, a content of burnt stone is visible. Some 9m to W, a small indistinct hollow, about 3m across, is possibly the site of an associated structure.
Surveyed at 1:10,000 Visited by OS (J B) 28 September 1981.

The feature is visible in LiDAR data gathered by AOC Archaeology in 2011 as part of the mitigation for the visual impact on the archaeological landscape associated with the proposed Baillie Hill windfarm, Caithness. <1>

The site was visited and recorded by topographic survey in 2015 as part of the 'Hidden Bronze Age Landscape of Caithness Project' undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group and members of the Castletown Heritage Society with local volunteers. The project ran as a series of four week-long field schools training volunteers in techniques of field survey, systematic soil sampling and targeted excavation. Fieldwork in week one of the field school (22-27/06/2015) focussed on using LiDAR data in the field, use of GPS to create simple maps of archaeological sites and ground-truthing sites through LiDAR. In week two (13-18/07/2015) participants learned how to create accurate plans using manual taped offset and plane table survey and total station and GPS surveys. The site was recorded as being considerably larger than noted previously and was one of four such features. Site 22: On a gentle NE sloping slope, with good views to the north and east lie at least 4 possible burnt mounds extending over an area measuring 100m by 20m. The western most of the burnt mounds is sub-oval measuring 18m x 9m and immediately to the E (MHG1005) lies the best preserved of the mounds which is sub-oval and measures 20m x 13m x 1.5m high with a central depression. The east central mound is sub-oval, measuring 22m x 16m. The eastern mound is sub oval and measures 21m x 12m. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0298 6014 (25m by 17m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND06SW
Civil Parish	REAY
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (2)