October 24th 2023.
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Archaeologists have made an incredible discovery on the Orkney Islands - the ruins of a 5,000-year-old tomb. The tomb, which was located in Holm, East Mainland, contained the remains of 14 men, women, and children. The National Museums Scotland and Cardiff University were part of the excavation team that unearthed the ancient site.
Unfortunately, the tomb was largely destroyed by Victorian antiquarians 127 years ago. Local volunteers from the University of Central Lancashire, however, did find a few clues that gave a glimpse into what the tomb was like. These included pottery, stone tools, and a pin carved from bone.
The team also found traces of a large stone cairn with a 7-metre long passage. It is believed there was a stone chamber at the centre of the cairn, surrounded by 6 smaller cells. This type of tomb has only been recorded 12 other times in Orkney.
Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark, from NMS, said: “Orkney is known for its rich archaeology, but we never expected to find a tomb of this size in such a small-scale excavation. It’s incredible to think this once impressive monument was nearly lost without a record, but fortunately there was just enough stonework left for us to understand the tomb’s size, form, and construction.”
Professor Vicki Cummings, who also led the excavation, added: “The preservation of so many human remains in one part of the monument is amazing, especially since the stone has been mostly robbed for building material. It is extremely rare to find these tomb deposits, even in well-preserved chambered tombs, and these remains will provide new information about the lives of these people.”
The Orkney Islands are well-known for its Neolithic archaeology and are considered to be the ‘pinnacle’ of Neolithic engineering in Scotland. This recent discovery only adds to the Island’s rich and fascinating past.
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