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Latitude: 60.3045 / 60°18'16"N
Longitude: -1.4751 / 1°28'30"W
OS Eastings: 429106
OS Northings: 1157937
OS Grid: HU291579
Mapcode National: GBR Q1QH.LSQ
Mapcode Global: XHD2H.58Y7
Entry Name: North Ward,chambered cairn,Noonsbrough
Scheduled Date: 8 February 1993
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM5560
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn
Location: Sandsting
County: Shetland Islands
Electoral Ward: Shetland West
Traditional County: Shetland
The monument consists of the remains of a prehistoric chambered burial cairn, set on the summit of North Ward of Noonsbrough.
The cairn survives as a substantial mound, 0.7m high, below the remains of a more recent watch-tower. The cairn is of the "heel-shaped" variety, 8m SE-NW by 10m NE-SW, with a concave facade along the SE side. Large boulders define an inner and outer kerb, as well as the facade and an entrance passage leading from the centre of the facade towards an inner chamber, which is concealed by the remains of the watch-house.
The area to be scheduled is circular, 40m in diameter, to include the cairn, the later watch house, and an area around in which evidence for the cairn's construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as an example of a Shetland heel-shaped cairn which shows unusual structural features (the double kerb) and which may preserve undisturbed chamber deposits. As such it has the potential to provide valuable information about prehistoric funerary practices and tomb construction.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as HU25NE 2.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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