A 3-day period of fieldwork was undertaken in Nov 22 to sample eroding midden material just south of the Scheduled Monument of Knap of Howar, Papa Westray. Four areas of actively eroding midden were identified. The midden was extensively sampled, and samples were taken for sedaDNA. A 250m strench of coastline was surveyed. Augering was used to assess the extent of midden and sand overburden just to the south of the Scheduled Monument. Midden material was successfully retrieved from four areas of active erosion. Finds included stone and flint tools and coarse pottery characteristic of the Neolithic. Environmental samples were processed, sorted, and assessed for further work. Extensive quantities of shells were found, along with moderate quantities of mammal (including butchered) and bird bone and a few fish remains. Augering revealed that midden was present at a depth between 0.90 and 1.85m below ground level.
Gee et al. (Sun,) studied this question.