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Greentoft burnt mound is a prehistoric ritual or domestic structure located 350 metres south-south-west of Eday in Orkney, Scotland. Burnt mounds, known archaeologically as fulachtaí fia, represent one of the most common monument types in the north Atlantic region, typically dating from the Bronze Age. This example sits upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone comprising conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone, deposited during the Middle Devonian period approximately 390 million years ago. The underlying geology would have influenced the availability of stones suitable for heating and the character of the surrounding landscape familiar to its prehistoric users.
The monument consists of a mound composed of fire-cracked stones accumulated through repeated use, evidence of ancient thermal activities. Such sites frequently relate to the heating of water in stone-lined troughs, likely for cooking, bathing or processing materials. The Orkney setting, with its sparse tree cover and exposed landscape, would have presented particular challenges and opportunities for the communities who created and used this site.
The burnt mound at Greentoft is protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM1287, ensuring its preservation for archaeological study and public understanding of Orkney's prehistoric heritage.
Greentoft, burnt mound 350m SSW of, Eday is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1287. View the official record →
Greentoft burnt mound is a prehistoric ritual or domestic structure located 350 metres south-south-west of Eday in Orkney, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1287.
Greentoft, burnt mound 350m SSW of, Eday 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 SM1287.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Southside,standing stone 130m SW of (0.9 km), Stackel Brae,castle,Maltbarn,Eday (1.1 km), The Manse, chambered cairn and church 330m WNW of, Eday (3.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Greentoft, burnt mound 350m SSW of, Eday's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Greentoft, burnt mound 350m SSW of, Eday stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.