Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith
Watch Stone of Stenness
Late Neolithic (3100 BCE)·Grooved Ware·🇬🇧 Orkney, Mainland, Loch of Stenness causeway, United Kingdom
About
About Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith
Ness causeway outlier midway between two henges, with Bridge of Brodgar nearby, excavated causeway timber 2014. Recorded context — Period: Late Neolithic (3100 BCE); Culture: Grooved Ware; Field status: unexcavated; Materials: flagstone; Condition: preserved.
Why it mattersKey Grooved Ware megalithic with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Astronomical alignment
- 02Trade network extent
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
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 (3100 BCE)
- Culture
- Grooved Ware
- Purpose
- 5.6 m causeway monolith between Brodgar and Stenness henges — boundary marker
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1943
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
1890 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith
c. 1500 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith
c. 3100 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith
On the ground
Structures & features
58.9970° N · 3.2080° W · 4 m · 4 mapped features
- Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — Principal Standing Stonestanding stonestanding stone at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — subsidiary complex58.9958° N · 3.2073° W
- Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — primary structure58.9975° N · 3.2087° W
- Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — Cairn Annex 3cairncairn at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — subsidiary complex58.9954° N · 3.2074° W
- Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — Standing_Stone Annex 4standing stonestanding stone at Stenness Annex — Watch Stone Monolith — subsidiary complex58.9957° N · 3.2099° W
Gallery