Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn
Late Neolithic (3200-2500 BCE)·Orcadian Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn
Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn in Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic (3200-2500 BCE) megalithic attributed to Orcadian Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 12 × 4 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 59.1086N -2.9421E controls access to Orkney, Scotland resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for Orkney, Scotland, illustrating Orcadian Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3100 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3200-2500 BCE)
- Culture
- Orcadian Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3100 BCE
Initial construction of Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn main structure
c. 963 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn
1976–2023
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
59.1086° N · 2.9421° W · 11 m · 3 mapped features
Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn — Main Megalithic Feature
templePrimary temple at Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn — platform mound with stratified deposits
59.1075° N · 2.9416° WHill of Caldback Chambered Cairn — Secondary Enclosure
chamberAncillary chamber at Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
59.1079° N · 2.9433° WHill of Caldback Chambered Cairn — Outlier Rock Art Panel
cairnOutlier cairn panel linked to Hill of Caldback Chambered Cairn ceremonial landscape
59.1097° N · 2.9419° W