Adopt a MonumentAdopt a Monument
Holding Back the tide at Sandwick
The Unst Archaeology Group here have spent the last four years excavating a later prehistoric site threatened by coastal erosion at Sandwick, Unst. This work was commissioned by The SCAPE Trust and conducted by the Glasgow University Research Division (GUARD). During the last week of june 2007 the Unst Group and Adopt-a-Monument teamed up with local expert drystone dyker Jim Keddie and archaeological consultant Rick Barton to consolidate and partially reconstruct the site after the excavation finished. The walls of the structures were rebuilt and stabilised, and the wall heads were topped with clay and turf.
The group now cares for the site and monitors its condition, and they have produced a leaflet to tell visitors all about prehistoric life at Sandwick. The group have also improved access to the site through the creation of new parking facilities and way markers, and an interpretive panel has been produced with the help of Shetland Amenity Trust and Shetland Island’s Council.
By Adopting the Sandwick structures, the Unst Archaeology Group have provided a valuable legacy from the the excavation for both the Unst community and visitors to the island. Unst Archaeology Group hope that this project will inspire other groups to take action to understand and preserve the threatened heritage along Scotland’s coastline. Get in touch with Adopt-a-Monument Officer Helen Bradley to tell us what you think of this project.
Click here for the Unst Archaeology Group website which contains more information and some photopraphs of the reconstruction project in progresses.
The SCAPE Trust co-ordinates the Shorewatch project, which works with communities to monitor, survey and record eroding coastal sites in Scotland before valuable information is lost to the sea. The SCAPE Trust provides training, support and supervision to those wishing to take part in the project. Click here to find out more about Shorewatch or here for more on SCAPE.
Contact Helen if you would like an Adopt-a-Monument presentation to be included in the lecture programme for your group.
