Region : Orkney Home
Island : Rousay Map
Town or village : Brinyan List
Grid Reference : HY 414 276 Glossary
Period : 3rd millennium BC Bibliography
Blackhammer

CHAMBERED CAIRN
Blackhammer image

 
Set on a terrace below Knowe of Yarso, on the island of Rousay (Orkney), this stalled chamber was built within a rectangular mound. It has now a modern concrete roof and access is by ladder from a hatch: the original 3m long entrance passage opened from the side of the tomb.
Outside the entrance, the decorative effect of some slanting stones forming alternate triangles can still be seen. The chamber is 7.3m long and it is divided by upright flagstones into seven compartments.
Two masses of rough masonry (one visible in the photo) have been inserted in the chamber. During excavations in 1936 only two adult burials were found, along with animal bones, pottery and flint tools.
In care of Historic Scotland