Monument record 6825 - Traigh a Siar, Taransay

An eroding settlement mound, with three distinct levels seperated by blown sand. Observed by Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick of Wessex Archaeology, August 1999.

NB00SW 14 c. 0098 0085

An oblique aerial photograph (E95136PO) has been lodged in the NMRS purporting to identify the location of a possible midden recorded during aerial survey. No midden is visible on the photographs, but there are several sand blows and evidence of erosion on this sand bar. The possible chapel located on the north end of this sand bar (NB00SW 4) is also not visible.
Information from RCAHMS (SWC) 15 June 2004

REPORT DATE: 09/12/2004

NB00SW 11 c.007 009

NB 007 009 A settlement site represented by midden deposits, a possible hearth setting, and tumble which may be from a rectangular building, was observed eroding out of sand dunes at Traigh a Siar. It is uncertain if all the features are contemporary, but Late Iron Age/Viking period pottery, some of which is grass-tempered, was recovered from the midden deposits.
The finds have been deposited with Museum nan Eilan, Stornoway, and copies of the report have been lodged with Comhairle nan Eilan Siar SMR and the NMRS.
A P Fitzpatrick 2000, 94
REPORT DATE: 10/07/2001

The site is much as described by Fitzpatrick. The eroding dune face at the end of the beach is notible by the large amount of tumbled stone at its foot. This series of middens are extensive in depth and extent continuing towards the north away from the current beach. Further stone work, several hearth type deposits, all associated with shell midden material; one further hearth to the north, sitting above natural stone in a silty sand deposit. As previosly noted occaissional pottery sherds were visible with in the midden deposit. The midden comprised mostly of limpit shells with occaisional mussel shells exclusively with very occiassional fish and mammel bones. This site appears relitvely stable with some slumping of the dune faces.
K.Murphy (Archaeologist CnES) 02/09/2021

Council for Scottish Archaeology, 2000, Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (Bibliographic reference). SWE41184.