MHG1740 - Unclassified Structure, Robert's Haven
Summary
Site of structure of unknown type and uncertain date with associated midden.
Type and Period (1)
- BUILDING (Medieval - 1058 AD to 1559 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Site visit and photo 1/7/2003. Some of stones from top of walls starting to tumble. NB there is more midden material between this building and coast edge being revealed in rabbit scrapes, this revealed fish bone. According to Paul Humphreys the sand from this area was collected during the war for, at present, an unknown purpose. HAW 7/2003
A sample column (E, 1msq), in the vicinity of this undated (but possibly medieval) ruined structure was re-opened and excavated to sterile glacial till. Ecofacts and artefacts were recovered from midden strata to facilitate the interpretation of this area vis-a-vis coastal deposits at ND37SE 4. A second 1msq column (1), immediately adjacent to the structure, was also excavated to clarify the stratigraphic relationship between building and its associated midden deposits.
Continued auger and geophysical survey (P Johnson, pers comm) suggests that this area and ND37SE 4 of intact archaeology are isolated in a landscape which was elsewhere stripped by extensive sand quarrying.
J H Barrett 1993
A 1.2m sq column was excavated adjacent to ruined structure. Intact midden layers were excavated to a depth of c.50cm, at which point they overlaid stone rubble or paving. These deposits are not yet securely dated.
J H Barrett 1992
On links at Robert's Haven a rectangular, shell-mortared structure, which was exposed from under a sandhill during sand removal work in 1950's. Overall it measures 8.8m NNW-SSE by 6.3m and stands up to 1.55m high. W wall was cleared during sand excavation and it is 0.9m thick; elsewhere the inner face is masked by a mixture of sand and rubble. The wall is neatly constructed with large stone blocks. Entrance is in NW. A later feature, possibly a stairway has been added to S corner. Its construction is also stone in shell-mortar, but the stones are smaller and masonry of an inferior quality. Where it joins original structure the masonry of the two walls has not been butted together. The age and purpose of structure are unknown but it may date back to medieval period. A bone pin was found and retained by Mr Murdo Sinclair, Keiss, when involved in sand removal work. It was found at foot of the 'stair' in S corner.
Visited by OS (JB) 19 July 1982.
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SHG1429 Text/Publication/Article: Barrett, J H. 1993. 'Robert's Haven (Canisbay parish): medieval/Norse middens, undated structure', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1993, p.42-3. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 42-3. 42-3.
- --- SHG1430 Text/Publication/Article: Barrett, J H. 1992. 'Robert's Haven (Canisbay parish): Norse/medieval middens, structures', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1992, p.40. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 40. 40.
- --- SHG1949 Text/Publication/Volume: Barrett, J H. [199-?]. Robert's Haven: an archaeological investigation of rural economy in the medieval earldom of Caithness.
- --- SHG3613 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 3902 7353 (30m by 30m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND37SE |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (1)
- PIN (Undated)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/9381 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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