Isbister Chambered Cairn (Tomb of the Eagles)
Tomb of the Eagles · Isbister Cairn
Late Neolithic to Bronze Age·Orcadian Neolithic·🇬🇧 South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Isbister Chambered Cairn (Tomb of the Eagles)
Neolithic chambered cairn on Isbister cliffs, South Ronaldsay, famous as the Tomb of the Eagles after 16,000 human bones and 725 bird bones—including white-tailed sea eagle talons—were found by farmer Ronald Simison in 1958–76. The large stalled cairn with triple chambers and stalls held 341 individuals (Neolithic to Bronze Age). The site's bird symbolism and long use challenge simple funerary interpretations.
Why it mattersNeolithic chambered cairn on Isbister cliffs, South Ronaldsay, famous as the Tomb of the Eagles after 16,000 human bones and 725 bird bones—including white-tailed sea eagle talons—were found by farmer Ronald Simison in 1
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Eagle veneration versus intrusive bones
Theories
- 01Totemic sea-eagle cult
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. 3200–2900 BCE (use to c.2000 BCE)
- Period
- Late Neolithic to Bronze Age
- Culture
- Orcadian Neolithic
- Purpose
- Stalled chambered cairn with eagle cult
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3200–2900 BCE (use to c.2000 BCE)
Initial construction
c. 1448 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
58.7400° N · 2.9219° W · 25 m · 2 mapped features
Triple stalled chamber
chamberMain chamber 13.5 m with three stalls and side cells, containing primary burials
58.7400° N · 2.9219° WTalon and skull assemblage
depositFindspot of 725 bird bones and eagle talons among human remains
58.7400° N · 2.9219° W