Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar
Barnhouse Settlement
Brookan Chambered Cairn
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Odin Stone
Quanterness Chambered Cairn
Ring of Brodgar
Stones of Stenness
Ness of Brodgar is in Orkney.
Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar, Barnhouse Settlement [Map]
Barnhouse Settlement is also in Orkney Neolithic Farmsteads.
3000BC. Barnhouse Settlement [Map] was discovered in 1984 by Colin Richards. Excavations were conducted between 1986 and 1991, over time revealing the base courses of at least 15 houses. The houses have similarities to those of the early phase of the better-known settlement at Skara Brae [Map] in that they have central hearths, beds built against the walls and stone dressers, and internal drains. Grooved Ware was found.
Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar, Brookan Chambered Cairn [Map]
Brookan Chambered Cairn is also in Orkney Chambered Cairns Unspecified Type.
Brookan Chambered Cairn [Map]. With an approximate diameter of 16 metres (52.5ft), it was first investigated in 1861, when it caught the eye of the antiquarian James Farrer. In 1861, the mound survived to a height of 1.8 metres (6ft) and had a diameter of around 13 metres (44ft). Cutting into it, the excavators encountered a low, encircling stone wall at the base, circa 0.30m (1ft) high. In 1861, the mound survived to a height of 1.8 metres (6ft) and had a diameter of around 13 metres (44ft). Cutting into it, the excavators encountered a low, encircling stone wall at the base, circa 0.30m (1ft) high.
Archaeological Journal Volume 20 Section III. In the beginning of July, 1861, Mr. Farrer sent a few of the labourers who had begun excavations in Maes-how in Stenness, to open a barrow [Brookan Chambered Cairn [Map]] at the edge of the very large ancient quarry near Bookan, in the adjoining parish of Sandwick, and not far from the large circle of standing stones of Brogar. The barrow was about 44 feet in diameter, and about 6 feet high, when opened; but it had been partially examined on some former occasion, and the upper part was consequently in a ruinous state. On cutting into the mound, a circular wall or facing, about a foot in height, similar to that which encircles the so-called Picts'-houses, was found, about 11 feet within the edge of the base of the barrow. A low passage, 6¼ feet in length, and 21 inches in width and height, extended from the outer surface of the wall on the south side of the barrow to a small chamber or kist, 7 feet 1 inch long and 4 feet wide, formed by large flagstones set on edge. At the north end of this was another kist, 4 feet 8 inches long, and 3 feet 1 inch wide. On the east side was a similar kist, 4 feet 8 inches long, and 2 feet 9 inches wide, and on the west side were two similar kists, each of which was the same length as the eastern kist, and both were 3 feet 1 inch wide. All the kists were about 2 feet 8 in. deep. A flint lance-head and some pieces of small clay vessels or urns lay at the north end of the central kist, but no bones were found in it. Remains of human skeletons, greatly decayed, lay in the surrounding kists. A glance was sufficient to show how nearly akin the Bookan barrow is to the so-called Picts'-houses. It has, in common with them, the encircling wall or facing, the passage from the outside to the interior, and the central chamber or kist, surrounded by others—in fact, all the characteristics of a Picts'-house, with the exception of the converging walls, which alone were wanting to complete the resemblance. And this point of difference may partly be owing to the facility with which the flagstones that form the kists could be obtained from the neighbouring quarry, and possibly also to the social position of the person interred, whose rank may not have been deemed sufficient to call for the erection of a more elaborate structure.
Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn [Map]
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn is also in Maeshowe Type Chambered Cairn.
Carbon Date. 3094BC. Middle Neolithic Carbon Dates
Report: From under bank - ?OGS at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4445, C14 ID: SRR-791 Date BP: 5094 +/- 60, Start Date BP: 5034, End BP: 5154
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2135BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat above bedrock at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4446, C14 ID: SRR-505 Date BP: 4135 +/- 65, Start Date BP: 4070, End BP: 4200
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1970BC. Middle Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat above bedrock at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland. Comment (lab): duplicate of SRR-505
ID: 4447, C14 ID: Q-1482 Date BP: 3970 +/- 70, Start Date BP: 3900, End BP: 4040
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1765BC. Middle Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat from S trench - basal organic material at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4474, C14 ID: Q-1481 Date BP: 3765 +/- 70, Start Date BP: 3695, End BP: 3835
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1660BC. Middle Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat from N trench - lower organic layer on inner slope of ditch at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4475, C14 ID: SRR-504 Date BP: 3660 +/- 45, Start Date BP: 3615, End BP: 3705
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1445BC. Late Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat from S trench - basal organic material at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland. Comment (lab): replicate measurement of Q-1481
ID: 4476, C14 ID: SRR-524 Date BP: 3445 +/- 50, Start Date BP: 3395, End BP: 3495
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 880BC. Early Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat from S trench at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4477, C14 ID: SRR-523 Date BP: 2880 +/- 45, Start Date BP: 2835, End BP: 2925
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 315. Late Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Silty peat from S trench - basal organic material at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4478, C14 ID: SRR-522 Date BP: 1685 +/- 45, Start Date BP: 1640, End BP: 1730
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 765. Early Medieval
Report: Silty peat from S trench - basal organic material at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4479, C14 ID: SRR-521 Date BP: 1235 +/- 40, Start Date BP: 1195, End BP: 1275
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: C Renfrew, 'Investigations in Orkney' (Res Rep Soc Antiq London 38), 1979, 71; C Renfrew, 'The prehistory of Orkney' (1985)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 953. Early Medieval
Report: From later make-up of bank - ? Norse at Maes Howe [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4448, C14 ID: SRR-792 Date BP: 1047 +/- 65, Start Date BP: 982, End BP: 1112
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 318, OS North: 128
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Archaeologia Volume 34 1851 XIII Orkney Chapter II. But the most remarkable tumulus in Orkney is situated a mile to the north-east of the Ring of Stenness, and is called M'eshoo or Meashowe [Map].a This is a very large mound, thirty-six feet in height, and ninety'two in diameter, and is of a bluntly conical outline. The mound occupies the centre of a raised circular platform, which has a radius of eighty-six feet. This is surrounded by a trench twenty feet in breadth, and a circular bank probably inclosed the whole. Many attempts had been made to explore it, as there are several small heaps upon its sides; but at last sufficient force and perseverance was brought to work, and a huge mis-shapen mass upon the east side shews the explorers were successful." Unfortunately no inventory was published of its stores; and such will too generally be the case, so long as the possession of a metal ring or bracelet is liable to be hunted for by an official (like a kittywake by the Skoutie-allan) till the precious bait is disgorged. The law of treasure-trove fuses nearly all antiquities of gold or silver; they find their way to a watch-cobler, and thence to a crucible. It is a mere fiction to assert, that either Queen, Government, or nation can derive any pecuniary benefit from the few articles that are occasionally turned up; in fact, neither of these parties ever see them; and the only way to prevent their conversion is to let it be known that they are the property of those who find them, and that the lucky individual is to get the largest amount of sterling money that the articles will fetch in open market. The more they cost the purchaser, the greater will be the chance of their ultimate preservation.
Note a. Its elevation is marked upon the General Plan.
Archaeological Journal Volume 18 Opening of Maes-Howe. Notice Of The Opening Of A Tumulus In The Parish Of Stenness, On The Mainland Of Orkney.1. By George Petrie, Of Kirkwall, Cor. Mem. S.A. Scot.
During several successive summers James Farrer, Esq., M.P., has visited Orkney, and has excavated a considerable number of the Tumuli which abound in the islands. I have had the pleasure of assisting him with my local knowledge in all these excavations, and I have preserved notes, measurements, and sketches of all that has been done and found.
On occasion of his visit in 1860, Mr. Farrer expressed a desire to open all the larger tumuli in the vicinity of the circle of standing stones at Brogar, Stenness. Some of these had been previously excavated by him, and a large stone urn was found in one of them. By his request I communicated his wish to the Society of Antiquaries in Edinburgh, and their Secretary, Mr. Stuart, immediately wrote to Mr. David Balfour, of Balfour and Trenabie, on whose lands the stones and tumuli stand, and his consent to the excavations was cordially given. As it was then late in the season the work was postponed till the following summer, when it was arranged that a deputation from Edinburgh should be present at the opening of the tumuli. The beginning of July was accordingly fixed; and, in the course of a correspondence between Mr. Balfour and myself on the subject he suggested that a large tumulus in the parish of Stenness, known in the district by the name of Maes-how [Map], and not far distant from the remarkable circle of standing stones known as the Ring of Stenness, should be explored. I immediately acquainted Mr. Farrer with Mr. Balfour's proposal, and he at once agreed to include it in his operations. To expedite matters I visited the place before Mr. Parrer's arrival, and arranged with the contractor for the work, as to the part of the tumulus at which the excavations were to be commenced. Most fortunately it happened that the spot selected was directty over the gallery or passage which leads to the centre of the tumulus, and the covering stones (A and B) of the passage were soon reached.
Note 1. Communicated to the Section of Antiquities, at the Meeting of the Archaeological Institute at Peterborough, July, 1861.
Archaeological Journal Volume 20 Section III. Immediately after the examination of the Bookan barrow the large mound, familiarly known in Orkney as Maes-how [Map], was opened by Mr. Farrer, on the suggestion of Mr. David Balfour, of Balfour and Trenabie, the proprietor of the estate on which Maes-how stands. While the excavations were in progress, I ventured to express an opinion that the building had originally been the chambered tomb of some celebrated warrior or chieftain, and subsequent examinations of the structure, and a comparison with other unquestionably sepulchral mounds, confirmed my first impressions, and left no doubt that Maes-how originally was as certainly a tomb as the Bookan barrow. Now, this point being settled, if it can also be shown that Maes-how belongs in reality to the class of so-called Picts'-houses, the true character of the latter will no longer be a mystery. This I think can be best done by referring to the ground-plan and elevation, from which it will be seen that Maes-how does possess all the usual characteristics of a Picts'-house.2 It has, indeed, been built with more than ordinary care, and the cells are on a higher level than the floor of the central chamber, but in all other important respects the resemblance is complete. In short, it appears to me that Maes-how is identical with the so-called Picts'-houses, and therefore if the former was originally a chambered tomb, of which there seems to be no doubt, the latter may, without hesitation, be classified with the sepulchral buildings of the early colonists of Orkney.
Note 2. Compare the ground-plan and sections of Maes-how, in this Journal, vol. xviii., p. 355.
Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar, Odin Stone [Map]
Odin Stone is also in Orkney Standing Stones.
In Dec 1814 Captain W. Mackay destroyed the Odin Stone [Map]. He used the stone fragments to construct a byre.
Archaeologia Volume 34 1851 XIII Orkney Chapter II. The site of the Odin Stone [Map]b was pointed out to me by a man who had looked through it in his youth; it stood about one hundred and fifty yards to the northward of the Ring of Stenness, but it does not ppear to have had any relation to that structure, though it is probable that it was erected at the same era. All that can now be known of it must be learnt from Barry's or the Marchioness of Stafford's drawings, for the unfortunate tenant of Barnhouse cleared it away. The stone, which was of much the same shape as those still left, was remarkable from being pierced through by a hole at about five feet from the ground; the hole was not central but nearer to one side. Many traditions were connected with this stone, though with its name I believe them to have been imposed at a late period; for instance, it was said that a child passed through the hole when young would never shake with palsy in old age. Up to the time of its destruction, it was customary to leave some offering on visiting the stone, such as a piece of bread, or cheese, or a rag, or even a stone; but a still more romantic character was associated with this pillar, for it was considered that a promise made while the plighting parties grasped their hands through the hole was peculiarly sacred, and this rude column has no doubt often been a mute witness to "the soft music of a lover's vow."
Note b. "At a little distance from the temple is a solitary stone about eight feet high, with a perforation through which contracting parties joined hands when they entered into any solemn engagement, which Odin was invoked to testify." (Arch. Scot. vol. iii. p. 107.) This agrees with the description of Mr Leisk; but Barry's plate would lead us to imagine that the height was at least double that given above.
Archaeologia Volume 34 1851 XIII Orkney Chapter II. The ruthless plough has been driven by barbarous men over this enduring record of the thoughts and labours of an exterminated people, and even within this century some of the pillars have been destroyed to clear the ground. The unlucky tenant of the adjoining farm has exercised his "little brief authority," and a most unenviable immortality has attached to him in consequence," for, "says Mr. Peterkin, "one (of the standing stones [Map]) has lately been thrown down; three were in the month of December, 1814, torn from the spot on which they had stood for ages, and were shivered to pieces." As Mr. Peterkin speaks rather apologetically for the man, he is not to be suspected of exaggeration; yet this statement does not correspond with the plates in Barry's History, nor the drawings of the late Marchioness of Stafford. At this moment there are two stones erect, and one prostrate, but perfect; and in the drawings referred to there are but four erect stones; hence the tenant of Barnhouse could have broken up but one of these stones (exclusive of the Odin Stone [Map]), and one he prostrated.
Archaeologia Volume 34 1851 XIII Orkney Chapter II. In vol. iii. of Arch. Scot, there is a rude woodcut from a drawing, and extracts from a description of the stones of Stenness, communicated by the Rev. Dr. Henry, in 1/84. In the drawing we have an amatory couple exchanging vows at the shrine of Odin, but unfortunately the Odin stone [Map] is drawn standing upon the east instead of the west side of the Stenness Ring. There are eight standing and two fallen stones in the Stenness Ring, which forms an exact semi-circle, and the cromlech is removed from the north side to what is intended to be the centre. Upon the cromlech is a kneeling damsel supplicating for the power to do all that is wanted from her by her future lord, while he is standing by, and seems to be rather intoxicated, but whether from love or wine is not to be determined from the drawing. I quote the following account, which I believe to be extremely exaggerated. "There was a custom among the lower class of people in this country, which has entirely subsided within these twenty or thirty years, when a party had agreed to marry, it was usual to repair to the Temple of the Moon, where the woman, in presence of the man, fell down on her knees and prayed the god Woden (for such was the name of the god whom they addressed on this occasion) that he would enable her to perform all the promises and obligations she had made and was to make to the young man present; after which they both went to the Temple of the Sun, where the man prayed in like manner before the woman. Then they repaired from this to the stone north-east of the semi-circular range; and, the man being on the one side and the woman on the other, they took hold of each other's right hand through the hole in it, and there swore to be constant and faithful to each other. This ceremony was held so very sacred in those times, that the person who dared to break the engagement made here was counted infamous, and excluded from society."—p. 119. In the description of the before-mentioned drawing, the Ring of Stenness is called "the semi-circular hof or temple of standing stones, dedicated to the moon,, where the rights of Odin were also celebrated:" but my witty friend, Mr. Clouston, is of opinion that it was only the lunatics who worshipped here. The Ring of Brogar is called "the Temple of the Sun:" unfortunately, the Ring of Bukan, which was of course the Temple of the Stars, seems to have escaped notice, or we might have learned of some more ante-nuptial ceremonies performed therein.
Europe, British Isles, Scotland, Orkney Islands, Orkney, Ness of Brodgar, Quanterness Chambered Cairn [Map]
Quanterness Chambered Cairn is also in Maeshowe Type Chambered Cairn.
3400BC. Quanterness Chambered Cairn [Map] is a Maeshowe type chambered cairn. Radiocarbon dating has placed its construction at 3400 BC. The Rev George Barry excavated the burial monument sometime around 1796 by entering through the roof of the monument. The mound at that time had the shape of a truncated cone, with a height of 4.27 m (14.0 ft).
Carbon Date. 2590BC. Late Neolithic Carbon Dates
Report: Organic-rich soil, from Stratum 1 area III, layer 69 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. [Ed: TL date OxTL-189a on sherds from main chamber gave 4320 250.]
ID: 4426, C14 ID: Q-1294 Date BP: 4590 +/- 75, Start Date BP: 4515, End BP: 4665
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'Investigations in Orkney' (1979), 73-4; 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2540BC. Late Neolithic Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as femur, Stratum 3, area II, layer 22 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4427, C14 ID: Q-1363 Date BP: 4540 +/- 110, Start Date BP: 4430, End BP: 4650
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2360BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as tibiae, Stratum 2, Pit A, same burial as Q-1479 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4428, C14 ID: SRR-754 Date BP: 4360 +/- 50, Start Date BP: 4310, End BP: 4410
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2300BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as humerus, Pit A, same burial as SRR-754 and Q-1479 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4429, C14 ID: Pta-1626 Date BP: 4300 +/- 60, Start Date BP: 4240, End BP: 4360
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2220BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as dog tibia, at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. Comment (subm): To confirm not intrusive into tomb.
ID: 4430, C14 ID: Pta-2649 Date BP: 4220 +/- 60, Start Date BP: 4160, End BP: 4280
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Antiquity, 55, 1981, 128; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2170BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as femurs, Stratum 2, Pit A, same burial as SRR-754 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4431, C14 ID: Q-1479 Date BP: 4170 +/- 75, Start Date BP: 4095, End BP: 4245
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2130BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as radius, Pit C, same skeleton as SRR-755 and Q-1480 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4432, C14 ID: Pta-1606 Date BP: 4130 +/- 60, Start Date BP: 4070, End BP: 4190
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 2110BC. Early Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as femur, Stratum 3, area III, layer 62 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4433, C14 ID: Q-1451 Date BP: 4110 +/- 100, Start Date BP: 4010, End BP: 4210
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1905BC. Middle Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as tibia, Stratum 5, Pit C, area V, same burial as SRR-755 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4434, C14 ID: Q-1480 Date BP: 3905 +/- 70, Start Date BP: 3835, End BP: 3975
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 1870BC. Middle Bronze Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as femur, Stratum 5, Pit C, area V, same burial as Q-1480 at Quanterness [Map], Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 4435, C14 ID: SRR-755 Date BP: 3870 +/- 55, Start Date BP: 3815, End BP: 3925
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The Prehistory of Orkney', 1985
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 570BC. Early Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Soil, id as organic-rich, from primary occupation at Quanterness [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 827, C14 ID: Q-1465 Date BP: 2570 +/- 85, Start Date BP: 2485, End BP: 2655
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The prehistory of Orkney', (Edin UP), rev ed 1990 (calibration and synthesis)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 440BC. Middle Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Soil, id as organic-rich, same as Q-1465, at Quanterness [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 828, C14 ID: Q-1464 Date BP: 2440 +/- 85, Start Date BP: 2355, End BP: 2525
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The prehistory of Orkney', (Edin UP), rev ed 1990 (calibration and synthesis)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 130BC. Middle Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Soil, id as organic-rich, postdating secondary features at Quanterness [Map], Orkney, Scotland.
ID: 829, C14 ID: Q-1463 Date BP: 2130 +/- 60, Start Date BP: 2070, End BP: 2190
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: C Renfrew
Reference Name: Antiquity, 50, 1976, 194-203; Renfrew C, 'The prehistory of Orkney', (Edin UP), rev ed 1990 (calibration and synthesis)
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Carbon Date. 20. Late Iron Age Carbon Dates
Report: Bone, id as Vulpes vulpes, fox, from Neolithic tomb at Quanterness [Map], Orkney Mainland, off Scotland. Subm J Clutton-Brock & M J Armour-Chelu. Comment (subm): as suspected, this animal was intrusive into a tomb chamber. This date is valuable as resolving previous uncertainty as to range of carnivores present in Neolithic Orkney.
ID: 6690, C14 ID: OxA-1117 Date BP: 1980 +/- 80, Start Date BP: 1900, End BP: 2060
OS Letter: HY, OS East: 417, OS North: 129
Archaeologist Name: A C Renfrew
Reference Name: Archaeometry, 29, 1987, 300; Clutton-Brock, J in 'Investigations in Orkney' (ed A C Renfrew), 1979, 112-34
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
Creswell Crags
Derbyshire
England. Subm R M Jacobi. Comment (subm): is the only fossil of lion to overlap stratigraphically with Late Glacial artefacts and faunal specimens; specimen submitted to test whether fossil was of Late Glacial date... but is shown to be much older
and with OxA-1206 confirms stratigraphic overlap of fossils of very different ages in this part of the cave. All other fossils of lion at Pin Hole are from deep in the faunal spread and their overlap with Middle Palaeolithic artefacts would seem to imply ages greater than OxA-1806; see also OxA-1813.""
Carbon Date. 1080. Late Medieval
Report: tooth:horse, u.l. premolar
ID: 6055, C14 ID: OxA-4739 Date BP: 920 +/- 80, Start Date BP: 840, End BP: 1000
Abstract: Quaterness [Map], Orkney, Scotland
Archaeologist Name: Clutton-Brock
Reference Name: Archaeometry 37(2), 1995, 417-430
Council for British Archaeology (2012) Archaeological Site Index to Radiocarbon Dates from Great Britain and Ireland [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1017767
History of the Orkney Islands Chapter II. To one or other of there, it is probable, must belong that which has been lately discovered at Qanterness [Map]. As works of that nature have never been clearly understood, though they have excited much curiosity in men who take pleasure in studying the progress of the human mind, by looking back to early ages, the utmost attention has been given to examine that Picts-house with care, to measure its dimensions accurately, and to delineate the form of all its parts with precision. Situated on a gentle declivity, under the brow of the hill of Wideford, it looks toward the North Isles, has a full view of the bay of Frith, and the pleasant little island of Dansey, from which it is not far distant, and lies little more than a mile west from the road or harbour of Kirkwall. Like the rest it bears externally the form of a truncated cone, the height of which is about fourteen feet, and the circumference at the base three hundred and eighty-four; but whether, like them also, it be surrounded by one or two circular walls, the quantity of rubbish prevented us from discovering, though, that it is so, is very probable. In one respect it differs from moll of them, as it stands alone, and at a distance from the shore; whereas, in general, they are situated on the shores of the sea, and several of them at no great distance from, and in full view of one another, as if they were some way or other connected, or had been intended for mutual communication.
Internally it consists of several cells or apartments, the principal one of which is in the centre, twenty-one feet fix inches long, six feet six inches broad, and eleven feet fix inches high, built without any cement, with large flat stones, the one immediately above projecting over that below, so as gradually to contract the space within as the building rifest till the opposite walls meet at the top, where they are bound together by large stones laid across, to serve as it were for key-stones. Six other apartments of an exactly similar form, constructed with the fame fort of materials, and united in the same manner, but of little more than half the dimensions, communicate with this in the centre, each by a passage about two feet square, on a level with the floor; and the whole may be considered as connected together by a passage of nearly the same extent from without, which leads into this chief apartment. So far as can now be discovered, there does not appear ever to have been, in any part of the building, either chink or hole for the admission of air or light; and this circumstance alone is sufficient to show that it had not been destined for the abode of men. The contents were accordingly such as might have been naturally expected in such a gloomy mansion. None of those things, which have been discovered in places, were found here; but the earth at the bottom of the cells, as deep as it could be dug, was of a dark colour, of a greasy feel, and of a fetid odour, plentifully intermingled with bones, some of which were al- most intirely consumed, and others had, in defiance of time, remained so entire,' as to how that they were the bones of men, of birds, and of some domestic animals. But though many of them had nearly mouldered into dust, they exhibited no marks of having been burnt ; nor were names of any kind to be seen within any part of the building. In one of the apartments, an entire human skeleton, in a prone attitude, was found; but in the others, the bones were not only separated from one another, but divided into very small fragments.
