Advertisement
Articles

Hermisgarth, Sanday: the investigation of pyre settings and Pictish cist burials in Orkney

Hermisgarth, Sanday: the investigation of pyre settings and Pictish cist burials in Orkney

Downes, Jane M with Morris, Christopher D

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 127 (1997), 609-626

ABSTRACT

Cist burials and stone pyre settings at Hermisgarth Farm, Sanday, were exposed by coastal erosion and subsequently excavated in 1993. Two of the cist burials were situated under a cairn; one of these contained an inhumation which was radiocarbon-dated to the later Roman Iron Age/early Pictish period. Another cairn and pyre setting were discovered by further investigations in 1997, prompted by continuing erosion. Geophysical survey indicates that the burial complex may be extensive. All phases of the project were funded by Historic Scotland.

Click here to download/read this article (PDF file)

Advertisement