The excavation in Orkney has unveiled the remains of an immense tomb, showcasing an impressive example of Neolithic engineering prowess.
Archaeologists were motivated by the discovery of clues that were excavated over a century ago to successfully identify and locate a location that dates back 5,000 years.
Archaeologists have recently discovered the remains of a tomb dating back 5,000 years in Orkney, which showcases the remarkable achievements in neolithic engineering in the northern region of Britain.
A total of fourteen articulated skeletal remains, comprising individuals of all ages and genders, were discovered within a single enclosure among six distinct chambers or compartments. Notably, two of the skeletons were found in a posture suggestive of an embrace.
The dimensions of the tomb exceed 15 metres in circumference and encompass a stone building that is reached by traversing a lengthy path spanning around seven metres. The dig was led by Dr. Hugo Anderson-Whymark, a senior curator specialising in prehistoric (Neolithic) artefacts at the National Museums Scotland, and Prof. Vicki Cummings, a distinguished professor specialising in Neolithic archaeology at Cardiff University.
Anderson-Whymark recounted the remarkable enthusiasm experienced during the excavation process, wherein the removal of topsoil revealed the preliminary design of the tomb. The structure was seen to possess a circular shape, with a rectangular chamber encompassed by six cells exhibiting curved backs. According to his statement, a measurement of seven or eight metres across the interior denotes a significant size. We not only discovered the tomb, but also encountered in situ articulated remains, which served as an additional and highly gratifying aspect of our findings.
The author observed that the corbelled construction technique entails the incremental stacking of stones to form cell chambers that progressively taper as they ascend, showcasing remarkable feats of engineering. The tomb, upon its initial construction, would have constituted a substantial and prominent element within the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the inside masonry would have exhibited a remarkable level of craftsmanship, evoking a sense of awe and admiration.
The majority of neolithic graves in Orkney are preserved as visible structures, whereas the Holm tomb, in contrast, was interred beneath the verdant undulating fields.
According to Anderson-Whymark, the presence of a tomb of such magnitude in a very modest excavation was an unexpected discovery, considering the abundance of archaeological sites in Orkney. It is remarkable to contemplate that this formerly remarkable structure was on the verge of being lost without any documentation.
Cummings stated that the discovery of these tomb deposits is exceptionally uncommon, especially within chambered tombs that are well-preserved. These remains will provide novel perspectives on various facets of the life of these individuals.
A little motif, consisting of three lines and additional scratch marks, has managed to endure on the rear surface of one of the stones.
With the aid of DNA analysis and additional scholarly investigations, it is now feasible to ascertain the potential relationships among the interred individuals and their connections to other burial sites in Orkney. It is plausible that certain tombs in the region were utilised across many generations or even spanning several centuries.
According to Anderson-Whymark, there is evidence of a sequential accumulation of bodies, suggesting that they were placed on top of each other over an extended duration.
The access point could have been obstructed by a solid piece of rock, enabling individuals to re-enter the area, potentially for a range of activities and rituals conducted within the central chamber.
The tomb’s origins may be traced back to approximately 3000 BC, a period during which the indigenous tribes in Orkney had already engaged in agricultural practises for several centuries. The primary area of interest was centred around bovine livestock, and after the passage of numerous millennia, the domain continues to be utilised for the rearing and maintenance of cattle.The site had previously been disregarded due to its extensive destruction and lack of documentation during the 18th or 19th century, when a nearby structure was constructed using the stones from the site. This oversight persisted until approximately 10 years ago, when the aforementioned building was dismantled.
Additional excavation conducted in 1896 by the offspring of a farmer unveiled remnants of architectural structures and the unearthing of a stone macehead and ball, alongside the unearthing of eight human skeletal remains. The aforementioned findings were documented in a regional publication by James Walls Cursiter, an antiquarian. Cursiter speculated that the structure in question might be a dilapidated burial site, although he remained unaware of its historical importance and antiquity due to his limited exposure to a fragmentary portion of the structure.
Referred to as a “chambered cairn” in the literature, this particular archaeological site was given only a brief mention consisting of a few pages. The discovery of this information was fortuitous, since Anderson-Whymark came across it while conducting unrelated research. The inspiration prompted him to locate the place. Evidence of a significant cairn was uncovered during a three-week dig at Holm, East Mainland, with the assistance of students from the University of Central Lancashire and local volunteers.
The excavation in Orkney has unveiled the remains of an immense tomb, showcasing an impressive example of Neolithic engineering prowess.
