Description

The monument is the remains of a burial mound dating probably to the Bronze Age (between about 2000 and 800 BC). It survives as a low, oval mound of earth and stone, measuring some 12m by 10.5m and standing 0.8m high, surmounted by modern cairn material. Some of the large slabs on its surface may have once formed a cist, and a 5m depression in the centre may indicate that it was disturbed in antiquity. Despite the effects of burrowing animals, the mound is likely to contain important archaeological evidence, including possibly human remains. The monument is situated on open moorland at approximately 95m above sea level and with a predominantly N and E aspect. The monument was originally scheduled in 1935, but the scheduled area was inaccurate: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, 25m in diameter, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, particularly the design and construction of burial monuments in the Bronze Age, the nature of burial practices, and their significance in prehistoric society. The monument has the potential to contribute to our understanding of the form, function and distribution of Bronze Age barrows, which are an important part of Orkney's Bronze Age landscape. The loss of this monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand the placing of such monuments within the landscape and the meaning and importance of death and burial in prehistoric times.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY33SE 20.

References

Downes, J 1995, 'Linga Fold', Current Archaeology 142, 396-399.

Downes, J 1997, The Orkney Barrows Project survey results and management strategy (unpubl rep to Historic Scotland: ARCUS, University of Sheffield).

RCAHMS 1946, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Twelfth report with an inventory of the ancient monuments of Orkney and Shetland, 3v, Edinburgh, 203, no 561.

RCAHMS 1982, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, Orkney Islands Area, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series 16, Edinburgh, 19, no 39.

Towrie, S 2013, The Knowes o' Trotty, http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knowestrotty/ [accessed August 2013].

Source: Historic Environment Scotland