Description

The monument is a burial cairn of Orkney-Cromarty type, dating from the Neolithic period (fourth to third millennium BC). It is visible as a roughly circular grass-covered mound, approximately 16m in overall diameter and standing up to 1.2m high. The cairn was partly excavated in 1861 and re-excavated in 2002 and much of its internal structure is still visible ' a central passageway, with upright slabs and the compartment spaces. The cairn has two major phases of construction. The original tomb was oval in shape and measured approximately 7m by 5m. After it had fallen into disrepair, it was incorporated into a larger cairn around 16m in diameter and 'monumentalised' by the addition of three concentric stone revetments. A passageway, 2m long by 0.5m wide, enters the cairn from the SSE. It leads to a central chamber, 2m long by 1.4m wide. There are five side chambers symmetrically arranged around the central chamber, all of which are 1.3m long by 0.9m wide. The cairn is situated on a gentle SE-facing slope at approximately 25m above sea level, overlooking the Ness of Brodgar. The monument was originally scheduled in 1938, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, 30m in diameter, centred on the monument. The scheduling includes 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. The scheduling specifically excludes the top 30cm of the surface of the farm track to the NW of the cairn and the above-ground elements of all post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, in particular the design and construction of burial monuments, and the nature of belief systems and burial practices in Neolithic Orkney. Bookan chambered cairn lies in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Area and is an important component of the wider prehistoric landscape. Burial cairns are often focal points and can inform our understanding of prehistoric land-use and social organisation. Although partly excavated, the Bookan chambered cairn retains its structural characteristics to a marked degree and there is high potential for the survival of further important archaeological evidence. It is also important as a type-site in the established typology of chambered cairns. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the meaning and importance of death and burial in prehistoric times and would impact on our understanding and the overall integrity of the exceptionally rich landscape of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Area.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as HY21SE 10.

References

Bishop, R R Church, M J and Rowley-Conwy, P A 2009, 'Cereals, fruits and nuts in the Scottish Neolithic', Proc Soc Antiq Scot 139, 26-104.

Card, N 2005, 'Excavation of Bookan chambered cairn, Sandwick, Orkney', Proc Soc Antiq Scot 135, 163-90.

Davidson, J L and Henshall, A S 1989, The chambered cairns of Orkney: an inventory of the structures and their contents, Edinburgh, 103-4.

Henshall, A S 1963, The chambered tombs of Scotland, vol.1, Edinburgh, 186, no 4.

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, 263-4, no 708.

Renfrew, C 1979, Investigations in Orkney. Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Report no 38, London.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland