Unstan Neolithic Tomb, Stenness, Orkney

3D Model

Unstan (or Onston) is an early Neolithic (3500-3200 BC) ‘Orkney-Cromarty’ stalled round cairn located close to the Loch of Stenness, Mainland, Orkney. This tomb was used to buried many individuals, with bodies placed between the the upright stones that form ‘stalls’. This tomb was excavated in 1884 by Robert S. Clouston, the son of Rev Dr Charles Clouston, a well known antiquarian. In a charcoal-rich black layer on the floor, Clouston found several crouched burials, animal bones, fragments of many pottery vessels and flints, the latter including 4 fine leaf arrowheads. The distinctive style of pottery found in this tomb has come to be known as ‘Unstan Bowl’.

Form more information on the site visit CANMORE: https://canmore.org.uk/site/1740/unstan

This site is in the guardianship of Historic Environment Scotland. It is open to the public and free to visit.