Scheduled MonumentsScotlandCunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn
Steatite workings n and s of catpund burn

Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn

Scotland
HES SM4521
Site type
Steatite workings n and s of catpund burn
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

The Cunningsburgh steatite workings north and south of Catpund Burn is a prehistoric quarrying site located in Shetland, Scotland, where steatite (soapstone) was extracted for the manufacture of vessels and other domestic items. Steatite working sites of this character are typical of Shetland's Iron Age and Norse periods, when the soft, heat-resistant stone was valued for cooking vessels and decorative objects. The workings comprise evidence of quarrying activity across both banks of the Catpund Burn, with surface features indicating the extraction and processing of raw material. Sites of this type reflect the economic importance of steatite exploitation in Shetland's medieval and prehistoric economy.

Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4521. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn?

The Cunningsburgh steatite workings north and south of Catpund Burn is a prehistoric quarrying site located in Shetland, Scotland, where steatite (soapstone) was extracted for the manufacture of vessels and other domestic items. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4521.

Who is responsible for protecting Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn?

Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM4521.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cunningsburgh,steatite workings N and S of Catpund Burn?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Broch of Burraland, broch 890m E of Curefield (4.4 km), Mousa, broch (4.6 km), Mousa,burnt mounds 220m ENE of Broch of Mousa (4.8 km).

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