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MHG66100 - Midden - An Fhoigh

Summary

A series of midden-deposits.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

Sealed beneath sand-dunes, but now eroding out of the sides in the channels through the dunes, is located a series of midden-deposits. The first of these deposits on the west side of the channel, is a thick dark brown deposit of humic sand c 0.5 m thick sealed by and sealing other layers of wind blown sand. These layers of sand are interweaved by thinner layers of dark brown sand, which are very compact and clay rich. In one of the bands of material a very abraded sherd of low fired, reduced pottery was found. To the north of this deposit and the east side of the channel is another section of looser brown sand which contains frequent small stories, fragments of shell, pieces of charcoal, and possibly sherds of pottery. This deposit measures 0.5 m thick and is again sandwiched between layers of wind-blown sand. It is possible that this section contains manured agricultural soil with midden-material used as fertiliser. The third deposit is found c 15 m to the west of the previous one. This deposit contains a concentration of packed, small angular stones. This deposit is 0.6 m wide with tumble extending 2 m down the slumped slope, but the stone appears to be in situ and reaches a height of O.65 m. Although the manured fields themselves are not of much interest, they could suggest that other earlier settlement remains are sealed beneath the dunes at this level. These deposits are suffering from severe erosion of the sides of the dunes exposing and eroding the deposit. <1>

Note: Site not visible on aerial photographs so location based on grid coordinates. (TB 12/8/26)

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 5876 6083 (38m by 38m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC56SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	TONGUE

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