§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his assessment of the damage caused by the recent strong gales on archaeological sites in(a) Orkney, (b) Shetland, (c) St. Ninian's Isle and (d) the Western Isles;
(2) what action he proposes to take to help rescue-archaeology in the Scottish islands;
(3) what is the preliminary assessment on materials from Jarlshof sent by his Department for expert analysis in Aberdeen in relation to oil films.
§ Sir Hector MonroResponsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to Historic Scotland under its chief executive Mr. Graeme Munro. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Graeme N. Munro to Mr. Tam Dalyell, dated 24 February 1993.
As Chief Executive of Historic Scotland I am writing in response to your three Parliamentary Questions of 23 February to the Secretary of State for Scotland about rescue archaeology in the Scottish islands, the effect of the recent storms on archaeological sites in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland (including St. Ninian's Isle) and the preliminary assessment by the Robert Gordon University of the impact of oil from the Braer on stones from Jarlshof.Coastal erosion is the most serious single issue facing archaeological sites in the Scottish islands. In addition (and principally in Orkney) agricultural improvement operations in recent decades have resulted in destruction of or damage to a number of sites. However, with changes to agricultural and crofting grant schemes in the last few years such damage has reduced. Further, section 17 of the 1986 Agriculture Act effectively requires the Minister to take account of archaeological features when assessing agricultural and grant proposals. Historic Scotland has participated in Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department training courses on section 17 to ensure that staff have an awareness of archaeological features and give them appropriate consideration in terms of the statutory requirements. Historic Scotland has included in its programme of archaeological work for 1993/4 an investigation of those small burial mounds in Orkney particularly vulnerable to destruction through agricultural improvements. Other threats do arise; for instance, Historic Scotland commissioned excavation of the neolithic settlement at Barnhouse, near Stenness in Orkney, to help prevent further damage by agricultural ploughing of long-ploughed ground. I hope that publication of the proposed National Planning Policy Guideline and associated Planning Advice Note on archaeology will lead to prevention of damage to archaeological sites through development, or at least to its mitigation. On most issues, we rely largely on liaison with Islands archaeologists to alert us to sites where rescue excavation may be desirable. In addition, scheduled sites are inspected regularly by Historic Scotland monument wardens.Coastal erosion is unpredictable. Sites can be stable for decades; but can at almost any time be damaged by a conjunction of unfavourable tides, barometric pressures and windes. Historic Scotland and its predecessors have over the past 15 years arranged rescue surveys (Table 1) and excavations at many sites in the Scottish islands, and in particular at 35 archaeological sites and groups of sites in response to the threat of coastal erosion (Table 2). We are 642W giving priority now to completing publication of the majority of those surveys and excavations before embarking on any further major works to protect or excavate sites.Local Authorities are the lead organisations for coastal protection, and future protective measures or excavations should be considered along with other coastal issues: archaeology has been included in the brief for consultants reporting to the Scottish Office on coastal issues prior to preparation of a Review of Scottish Coastal Issues.The recent storms are but one episode in a continuing story of damage to archaeological sites in the coastal erosion zone. Our response illustrates the way in which, pending further consideration of coastal issues, Historic Scotland can build on previous work to react to such episodes. Inspectors from Historic Scotland have visited a selection of sites damaged by the January storms on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. The Orkney Islands Archaeologist plans detailed inspection of damage to sites in Orkney with financial support from Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland will fund at least one small excavation in Orkney (at Tuquoy, supplementing previous work) and plans further detailed assessment at the Brough of Birsay as a consequence of storm damage.Historic Scotland has arranged sampling at one damaged site in the Western Isles; other sites visited by an Inspector and damaged in the storms had been sampled previously; no systematic survey is planned at this time but this positiion will be reviewed in April following submission of reports covering survey and excavations in the Western Isles (see Table 2).Historic Scotland has had no request from the Shetland Islands archaeologist for emergency assessment of sites following the January storms; no systematic survey is planned. A further inspection by officers of Historic Scotland is planned for late February when I shall myself be visiting Shetland.Assessment of the effects of pollution from oil spilled from the Braer wreck on Jarlshof and neighbouring sites has already commenced. We sent one soil and 9 stone samples from the Jarlshof site to the Robert Gordon University Faculty of Science and Technology on 20 January to enable them to undertake a preliminary analysis of the extent of pollution. The intention was to help Historic Scotland clarify its position regarding a possible clean up of the site following the Braer oil tanker wreck and to assist in determining what appropriate conservation measures should be taken.The preliminary results indicate that the site is contaminated with crude oil residues. In the absence of an authentic sample of the Braer's cargo, it has not yet been possible to confirm that the ship was the source of the contamination, though the circumstances very strongly suggest it.There is as yet insufficient information upon which to decide the most appropriate course of action. A programme of further short, and longer term, monitoring is needed. This will look at the effects of the contamination on the biological growth on the stonework, the way it affects the weathering of the stone, and how it may alter the aesthetic appearance.To undertake this effectively, an on site monitoring programme is envisaged which would run in parallel with a detailed literature search. This would help put the study into a broader scientific context. In addition, laboratory and field studies of the effects of remedial or preventative actions would also be instigated. The work would be carried out in conjunction with other research programmes instigated by The Scottish Office and undertaken by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute.I believe that Historic Scotland's record of activity at sites suffering from coastal erosion and other threats in the Scottish islands, summarised in the attached tables, demonstrates our concern and our willingness to respond. By its very nature, rescue excavation is reactive. We are seeking to ensure that wherever possible responses are made within a strategic framework.Thus the actions which Historic Scotland on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland proposes to take to help rescue-archaeology in the Scottish Islands build on those which Historic Scotland has taken in the past. Historic Scotland is putting considerable effort into publication of those sites which have already been excavated, and it is reviewing the relative cost-effectiveness of further rescue excavations and protection. It is also taking measures to 643W increase awareness of archaeological sites in other Scottish Office departments and to improve the coordination of protection and rescue activities and to ensure harmonisation with the work of other agencies.
Table 1—Scottish islands: A list of coastal archaeological surveys commissioned by Historic Scotland plus archives with a high coastal component Region and source Proportion covered Comments Orkney Lamb Good cover In archive Shetland Turner Good cover In archive Western Isles Cowie More than half the west coast Formal report due March 1993, interim reports received Shepherd Barber Branigan
Table 2 Scottish Islands: Excavations in advance of marine and aeolian erosion in the coastal erosion zone commissioned or sponsored by historic Scotland between 1977 and 1992 Excavator Last field season Submission to Historic Scotland ORKNEY Birsay Bay proj. 1 Morris et al 81 published Birsay Bay proj. 2 Morris et al 83 93 Brough of Birsay 1 Morris et al 83 93 Brough of Birsay 2 Hunter 81 published Hurnips Point Hunter 91 published Noltland Clarke 81 95 to 96 Point of Cott Barber 85 93 Pool Hunter 88 93 Scar Dalland 91 93 St. Boniface Lowe 90 94 to 95 Skara Brae II Clarke 77 95 to 96 Tresness Smith 83 archive Tuquoy Owen 88 93 to 95 Warebeth Bell 88 published SHETLAND Burland Barber et al 83 93 to 94 Cunningsburgh Barber et al 90 93 to 94 Eastshore Barber et al 83 93 to 94 Fair Isle Harbour Barber et al 83 93 to 94 Ness of Burgie Barber et al 83 93 to 94 Sands of Breckon Barber et al 83 93 to 94 Scantness Barber et al 83 93 to 94 WESTERN ISLES Balelone Barber et all 83 93 Baleshare Barber et all 90 93 Barvas Cowie 79 93 Callanish Leobag Cowie 79 93 Dalmore Ponting 83 93 to 94 Dalmore Sharpies Parker- 83 93 to 94 Dun Vulan Pearson 93 field still Hornish Barber et al 84 93 Kneep Close-Brooks 78 93 to 94 Kneep Armit 92 92 Newton Ferry Barber et al 84 93 Rosinish Shepherd 77 94 South Glendale Barber 83 94 Udal RUX6 Crawford 83 94 to 95