Holm of Papa Westray South Cairn
Papa Westray South chambered cairn · Holm South
Early Neolithic·Orkney Early Neolithic (Bookan tradition)·🇬🇧 Holm of Papa Westray, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Holm of Papa Westray South Cairn
Small round Bookan-type cairn 10 m diameter on southern tip of Holm of Papa Westray, 200 m from North long cairn. Circular chamber with three cells opening off central area under corbelled roof, different typology from stalled North tomb. Built c.3300 BCE. Demonstrates architectural diversity within paired cemetery on same holm — possibly sequential or kin-group distinction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Typological contrast between North and South on same islet
Theories
- 01Different kin groups or successive phases using contrasting traditions
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. 3300 BCE
- Period
- Early Neolithic
- Culture
- Orkney Early Neolithic (Bookan tradition)
- Purpose
- Cell-chamber burial cairn paired with North long cairn
- Abandoned
- Late Neolithic
- Rediscovered
- Surveyed 1929, excavated 1982–83
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3300 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1028 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
59.3510° N · 2.8710° W · 12 m · 1 mapped feature
Three-cell chamber
chamberCircular chamber with three side cells
59.3510° N · 2.8710° W
Gallery