Structure O

Structure O is a sub-rectangular building immediately outside the east-facing entrance of the broch, where, in previous excavations of Orcadian broch villages, some of the most substantial and imposing village buildings often congregate.
The rubble in-filling of Structure O, outside-the-broch.
Structure O from Phase 3, under excavation in the foreground, with the broch behind.  Still  partly  infilled  with  rubble  and  topped  with  one  of  the  late revetment walls and paving of Phase 7 (AD400s/500s).

Structure O is a sub-rectangular building immediately outside the east-facing entrance of the broch, where, in previous excavations of Orcadian broch villages, some of the most substantial and imposing village buildings often congregate.

The angular nature of Structure O may seem at odds with dominant architectural traditions of circularity and curving walled buildings, but similarly angular walled structures are seen at Howe and Gurness.

Like Structure J, Structure O was abandoned around the same time as the broch – in the late 2nd/early 3rd century AD.

We have yet to reach the floors of Structure O, but we expect it to be a house like Structure J, and probably one of the most important houses in the village perhaps based on its relative position to the broch and its impressive substance.