Day 6: 13th July 2000
After yesterdays mini heatwave, this mornings leaden skies were greeted less than enthusiastically. However, after a few squalls in the morning the sky brightened and work continued apace throughout the day. To the south of the chapel the bulk of the nave collapse was removed, along with more tumble from the N-S enclosure wall to the west. More rubble was removed from the interior of the semi-circular domestic buildings to the east and north of the chancel revealing a fine, flag paved floor below. This area also yielded an extensive shell rich midden deposit, with limpets, (Stronsay's 'totem' beast*), being particularly well represented. See bottom picture.
Aerial shot of the site. N-S boundary wall in foreground much more clearly defined following clearance of tumble.
Digger of the day: Kate Hamer
Paved flooring in our Iron age structure
*Each of the Orkney islands and parishes have an associated nickname, usually an animal. In Stronsay's case its the humble limpet. The origins of these local aliases are obscure but may be ancient totems.