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Latitude: 58.9866 / 58°59'11"N
Longitude: -3.2494 / 3°14'57"W
OS Eastings: 328292
OS Northings: 1011722
OS Grid: HY282117
Mapcode National: GBR L4BZ.J6X
Mapcode Global: WH69W.1DY4
Entry Name: Knowe of Onston,or Unstan,chambered cairn
Scheduled Date: 6 June 1994
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM90232
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn
Location: Stenness
County: Orkney Islands
Electoral Ward: West Mainland
Traditional County: Orkney
The monument consists of a Neolithic chambered cairn situated on low- lying ground beside the Loch of Stenness.
Knowe of Onston, or Unstan as it is often called, has been excavated and provided with a concrete roof to allow visitor access. It is in the care of the Secretary of State.
The cairn is oval in plan, 15m NW-SE by 14m externally. It contains a chamber 7.0m by 2.5m with a small side chamber off. The body of the cairn is built in at least three layers, or skins, with revetments between each. The chamber is divided into five compartments by upright slabs set into the floor and the inner wall-face, with the end compartments each having been provided with a horizontal stone shelf.
The entrance passage, oriented ENE, enters the chamber in the side of the second compartment from the S end. On the lintel over the inner end of the entrance is a small carving of a bird and some Norse runes, but there is some doubt as to the original position of this stone. Excavation revealed burials in all of the compartments, and in addition several pottery vessels of the type now called "Unstan Ware" were recovered, with a number of flint artefacts.
The area to be scheduled is that contained within the boundary fence, and measures some 19m E-W by 17m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The fence and concrete roof are included.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a fine field example of a Neolithic chambered burial tomb, of the Orkney stalled cairn type. It is an outlier of the internationally-important Neolithic ceremonial landscape around the Lochs of Stenness and Harray. Although excavated, the cairn seals beneath it an old ground surface which may, on excavation and analysis, provide information about Neolithic land-use.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as HY 21 SE 5.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Knowe of Unstan Chambered Cairn
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/unstan-chambered-cairn
Find out more
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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