Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness (Orkney)
Neolithic·Unstan Ware culture·🇬🇧 Orkney, United Kingdom
About
About Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness (Orkney)
Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Neolithic megalithic of the Unstan Ware culture tradition, built c. 3400 BCE for stalled cairn type-site unstan ware bowls. 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 mattersUnstan Chambered Cairn Stenness at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Neolithic megalithic of the Unstan Ware culture tradition, built c. 3400 BCE for stalled cairn ty
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 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. 3400 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic
- Culture
- Unstan Ware culture
- Purpose
- Stalled cairn type-site Unstan Ware bowls
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3400 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness
On the ground
Structures & features
58.9860° N · 3.2110° W · 61 m · 3 mapped features
Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness Main Megalithic Feature
megalithicPrimary megalithic feature at Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness – central stalled cairn type-site unstan ware bowls element with stratified deposits
58.9860° N · 3.2109° WUnstan Chambered Cairn Stenness Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness defining settlement or ritual space
58.9859° N · 3.2109° WUnstan Chambered Cairn Stenness Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness ceremonial landscape
58.9861° N · 3.2111° W