Monument record MHG39792 - Burials, Mains of Murkle

Summary

Over 30 burials, some interred within long cists, discovered within an early medieval burial ground.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 1659 6940 (6m by 6m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet ND16NE
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish THURSO
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Type and Period (1)

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.


Fojut, N, 1987, 'Mains of Murkle (Olrig parish) long cist burials, c 14 date', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1987, p.25, 25 (Text/Publication/Article). SHG1092.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Fojut, N. 1987. 'Mains of Murkle (Olrig parish) long cist burials, c 14 date', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1987, p.25. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 25. 25.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2008 12:00AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the Heritage Portal maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.