Energy / Archaeological survey complete on wind farm compound
SURVEYORS have completed an archaeological survey of an area near Sand Water intended to be transformed into a compound for the construction of Viking Energy wind farm.
Regional archaeologist Val Turner said that rather disappointingly, no Viking, or other, artefacts had turned up in the probe.
Indications emerging from the geophysical survey had turned out to have a geological rather than human origin, she said.
Turner said that such work had to be undertaken for any large scale works like the wind farm. It involves following up the geophysical survey with carefully skinning and examining what lies beneath the surface of the ground.
“The geophysical survey showed a number of things that may or may not have been geological or man made. It is not possible to tell until you test. We were also testing a random percentage of the area,” she said.
Two archaeologists from the Edinburgh firm of Headland Archaeology will be on site for the duration of the Viking excavation, if it goes ahead.
One of the team is Magnar Dalland, who was involved in excavations at Kebister in the 1980s.
He has a “long track record” of working in the hilly and moory terrain of Shetland, said Turner, and was ideal for the job.
Turner said a report into this stage of the excavations was being drawn up and added that the archaeological works form a part of the wind farm’s planning conditions.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.