Monument record 1375 - BORVEMORE, HARRIS

NG09SW 4 0276 9447.

Sherds of 'earth house' pottery from sand dunes at Borvemore were donated to the NMAS by the finder, L MacLellan, Borvemore.
Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1954.

According to Mr MacLellan, the pottery, together with a bone pin, also in the NMAS (Acc Nos: HR 1077-9), was found in an eroded sand dune at NG 0276 9447. A large quantity of midden material, consisting of shells, animal bones, and sherds of typical Iron Age pottery can still be seen at the base of the dune.
Find-spot surveyed at 1:2500 scale. (See also NG09SW 8 for other finds.) Visit by OS 1 July 1969.

The excavations at Borve over the past two field seasons have revealed the remains of a complex, multi-phase structural arrangement.
A phase of activity existed prior to the consturction of the extant stone walls, though little is understood of the nature of this occupation. The main building appears to have been of two phases; the probable grain drying area to the north is the primary construction, followed by the larger cell to the south. At some point following the layout of these cells, the entire structure was revetted on all side, intially by an earthen bank and then with alow, poorly consolidated kerb wall. A second adjoining structure was built to the south of the first building, seemingly connected at its westernextent. The ntarue of this adjoining structure is unclear wihout excavations within it interior. However, the construction of the wall suggests that it may have acted as an enclosure rather than as a second building of the same quality as that to the north. Over time a series of deposits were dumped against the south-east exterior wall of the main northern structure. The evidence for burning wihtin these deposits suggest that they may have been associated with some form of industrial activity, possibly metal working.
Colls, 2006, 15

PSAS, 1951-2, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 211 (Bibliographic reference). SWE6836.

Kevin Colls, 2006, The Harris Project: Borve, South Harris (Unpublished document). SWE41129.