On the summit of Cairnpapple Hill, West Lothian, Scotland is a complex multi-phased prehistoric site which was used for ritualistic and burial practices in prehistoric times. The hill is about 312metres high and has far reaching views over central lowlands of Scotland. The site was excavated 1947-8 subsequently the site came into care of the state and is presented as a tourist attraction. The earliest evidence of human presence on the site was from 5,500 years ago, pottery sherds and stone axe fragments were found in association with six hearths. Later in the neolithic a henge monument was constructed, this was a circular ditch surrounded by a bank, within in the area inclosed by the ditch was a timber circle. By around 4000BC the usage of the site was changing, an important person was buried here and a cairn of stones raised over their burial chamber, further burials were added at a later dates and the cairn increased in size.
3D model derived from 26 Kite Aerial Photographs.
Photographed: May 2011
Comments