MHG1397 - Burial Ground, Mains of Murkle
Summary
Early medieval burial ground containing over 30 burials, some of which were interred within long cists.
Type and Period (1)
- BURIAL GROUND (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
On a gently sloping terrace above Murkle Bay, ploughing of a previously fallow area revealed a large number (30+) of human burials. Those with discernible detail were in poorly built long slab cists with gravel/shingle/shell bases (no basal slabs). At least one grave seemed to have had a small upright slab at the head end. Cap slabs were only inches below the turf.
As this is only the most recent of a series of burials discovered in the area (see also ND16NE 25, 31), a single 'skeleton' was removed from the most clearly visible cist and analysed prior to dating. The bones came from more than one individual. The date is 640 +- 60bp (GU 2135).
N Fojut 1987.
Sources/Archives (1)
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1659 6940 (100m by 100m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND16NE |
| Civil Parish | THURSO |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8421 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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