Mysteria

Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday (Orkney)

Neolithic·Orkney Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney, United Kingdom

About

About Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday (Orkney)

Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Neolithic megalithic of the Orkney Neolithic tradition, built c. 2900 BCE for maes howe type 20 m 9 m passage. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.

Why it mattersQuoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Neolithic megalithic of the Orkney Neolithic tradition, built c. 2900 BCE for maes howe type 20 m

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Chronology and phasing
  2. 02Landscape function

Theories

  1. 01Ceremonial centre
  2. 02Territorial marker

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. 2900 BCE
Period
Neolithic
Culture
Orkney Neolithic
Purpose
Maes Howe type 20 m 9 m passage
Excavation
Excavated
  1. c. 2900 BCE

    Initial construction / first occupation at Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday

  2. 19th–20th century

    Excavation and research at Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday

On the ground

Structures & features

59.2580° N · 2.5630° W · 385 m · 4 mapped features

  • Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday Main Megalithic Feature

    megalithic

    Primary megalithic feature at Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday – central maes howe type 20 m 9 m passage element with stratified deposits

    59.2580° N · 2.5629° W
  • Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday Secondary Enclosure

    enclosure

    Ancillary enclosure/wall line at Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday defining settlement or ritual space

    59.2579° N · 2.5629° W
  • Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday Outlier Rock Art Panel

    rock art

    Outlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday ceremonial landscape

    59.2581° N · 2.5631° W
  • Quoyness Chambered Cairn Sanday Reservoir Cistern

    hydraulic

    Rock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management

    59.2579° N · 2.5631° W

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