Region : Orkney Home
Island : Mainland Map
Town or village : Finstown List
Grid Reference : HY 363 127 Glossary
Period : 3rd millennium BC Bibliography
Cuween Hill

CHAMBERED CAIRN
Cuween Hill image

 
On a hillside, with extensive views to the East and North, there is this low mound (2.6m high and 16.8m in diameter), covering a Neolithic chambered tomb. The roofed passage is 3m long and only 0.8m high.
The 3m long passage enters a central, rectangular chamber. In each side of the chamber is a small opening leading to a cell. The south one (on the left side of the photo) is divided in two. As seen in the photo, the walling is very well built, mainly with thin slabs. The lower part of it is vertical, but the upper courses oversail slightly as they rise.
During excavations in 19th century, the skeletons of eight human beings and a lot of animal bones were found. On the floor of the main chamber there were also the skulls of 24 dogs (a probable totemic feature, as sea eagles at Isbister).
In care of Historic Scotland