Access
Archaeology are an active group based in North Uist. They
work to explore the island's archaeological sites and provide
better access to and interpretation of sites. They are
currently the only Shorewatch group in the Western Isles.
The group became involved with the Shorewatch project immediately
after the hurricane of January 2005, during which archaeological
sites had been uncovered and damaged all around the west coast
of the island. The area of Baile Sear, in particular, was hard
hit.
Since
then, the group have undertaken several training sessions in archaeological
recording, and are monitoring and recording the remains of a prehistoric
eroding site at Baile Sear beach. The recording of this site is
ongoing and is valuable 'hard evidence' of the constant erosion
of the site.
This is a plan of some of the eroding
stone structures at Baile Sear. The site appears to be a prehistoric
settlement. This was recorded in August 2005 by the group. The
site included remains of cellular structures, as well as a hearth,
which can be seen towards the centre of the drawing.
Four months on, in December 2005, the
group returned to the site to record it again. This plan shows
how 3-4 m of archaeology had been lost to erosion in the meantime.
Note the large curving wall (marked in blue) which has appeared
in section.
This plan shows the gradual erosion of the Baile Sear site. Green
represents the erosion of the site between August and September
2005, blue represents the erosion of the site between September
and December 2005, and black shows the coast edge and remaining archaeological
features at the beginning of December 2005.
The site is a low mound which rises above
the beach at Baile Sear.
Several
orthostats forming curved or semi-circular stone settings
can be seen
across the site.
Members of Access Archaeology Shorewatch group planning the site
in August 2005.