Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland, is a treasure trove of ancient history and archaeology. It is home to some of the oldest and most impressive monuments of the Neolithic period, such as the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Skara Brae village. These sites reveal the sophisticated and complex society that flourished in Orkney between 4,000 and 2,500 BC, and their connections to other regions of Britain and Europe.
But Orkney still has more secrets to unveil, as a recent discovery has shown. A team of archaeologists from National Museums Scotland and Cardiff University has uncovered the ruins of a 5,000-year-old tomb, which contained the skeletons of 14 men, women and children. The tomb, known as a Maes Howe-type passage grave, was a rare and remarkable type of burial structure, which only 12 other examples are known to exist in Orkney.
The tomb was a stone structure, accessed through a 7-meter-long (23-foot) passage, which led to a central chamber surrounded by six smaller cells. The chamber and the cells were roofed with large slabs of stone, and the whole structure was covered by a large mound of stones, measuring 15 meters (49 feet) in diameter. The tomb was a monumental and impressive feat of Neolithic engineering, which would have required a lot of planning, coordination and labor to build.
The tomb was also a sacred and symbolic place, where the Neolithic people buried their dead over time. The archaeologists found that one of the cells had preserved the skeletons of 14 individuals, who had been carefully arranged and buried in different positions and orientations. Some of the skeletons were placed in a crouched or fetal position, while others were laid out flat or on their side. Some of the skeletons were positioned so that they were almost embracing each other, while others were placed over the heads of others. The archaeologists also found other human bones, which had been disarticulated and scattered in the cell, suggesting that the tomb was reopened and rearranged several times.
The skeletons will be analyzed for DNA and isotopes, which will reveal information about their origins, relationships, diets and health. The archaeologists hope to find out if the individuals buried in the tomb were related to each other, and if they came from Orkney or elsewhere. They also hope to learn more about their lifestyles, such as what they ate, what diseases they suffered from, and how they died. The tomb will also shed light on the culture and beliefs of the Neolithic people, such as how they treated their dead, what rituals they performed, and what symbols they used.
The tomb was largely destroyed by antiquarians in the late 18th or early 19th century, who took the stones for building material. It was rediscovered by the archaeologists, who used historical records and geophysical surveys to locate it. The tomb was first recorded by a local antiquary, James Walls Cursiter, who excavated it in 1896 and found eight skeletons. However, he did not document his findings or preserve the site, and it was soon forgotten and buried again. The archaeologists were able to use Cursiter’s notes, which were held in a private collection, to pinpoint the exact location of the tomb and conduct a new excavation.
The discovery of the tomb is a rare and exciting find, which adds to the rich and diverse archaeological heritage of Orkney. It is also a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Neolithic people, who built and used the tomb for centuries, and left behind a legacy of art and architecture that still fascinates and inspires us today.
