Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (Orkney)
Late Neolithic·Orkney Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney, United Kingdom
About
About Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (Orkney)
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic megalithic of the Orkney Neolithic tradition, built c. 3000 BCE for maes howe type with 4 side cells dog skulls. 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 mattersCuween Hill Chambered Cairn at Orkney, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic megalithic of the Orkney Neolithic tradition, built c. 3000 BCE for maes howe type wit
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. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Orkney Neolithic
- Purpose
- Maes Howe type with 4 side cells dog skulls
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (Orkney)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (Orkney)
On the ground
Structures & features
58.9870° N · 3.0250° W · 95 m · 4 mapped features
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn Main Megalithic Feature
megalithicPrimary megalithic feature at Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn – central maes howe type with 4 side cells dog skulls element with stratified deposits
58.9871° N · 3.0250° WCuween Hill Chambered Cairn Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn defining settlement or ritual space
58.9869° N · 3.0249° WCuween Hill Chambered Cairn Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn ceremonial landscape
58.9871° N · 3.0251° WCuween Hill Chambered Cairn Reservoir Cistern
hydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management
58.9869° N · 3.0251° W