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Image © AOC
South Yarrows North Chambered Cairn
a Summary
One of a pair, this chambered cairn was built 5000 years ago and used for burying different members of the community over centuries. The cairn had different compartments - the largest visible at one end. Walk along the cairn to identify the distinctive horns at the east and west ends. Ceremonies and rituals may have taken place here before the bodies were placed in the tomb. Like many sites in the area, the cairn was excavated in the 19th and early 20th centuries by Anderson, Shearer, Barry and Nicolson. They found pottery and flint tools along with human remains - offerings for the afterlife.
A bit more...
This cairn is thought to be from the Neolithic period, ie 5000 years old. Originally excavated by Joseph Anderson and colleague in 1865, it has been visited and recorded by a succession of Scotland's most significant archaeologists since then - Francis Tress-Barry, Joanna Close-Brooks, Audrey Henshall, Roger Mercer, etc.
the full details
This 5000 year old burial tomb was used for burying important members of the community. In 1865 two local archaeologists: Joseph Anderson and Robert Shearer recovered human and animal bone, some burnt, from the chambers. Later, a cist was built on the site - a pot and jet beaded necklace placed beside the deceased as an offering. Like many sites across Caithness the cairn had been used as a quarry before the 19th century excavations and since that date the monument continues to decay.
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