Neolithic ORCA Tombs of the Isles

Geophysics planned for three more Neolithic tombs in the North Isles

A geophysics team from ORCA are heading out to Orkney's North Isles to investigate three potential Neolithic chambered tombs.
Castle Bloody, Shapinsay. (Sigurd Towrie)
Castle Bloody, Shapinsay. (Sigurd Towrie)

A geophysics team from ORCA are heading out to Orkney’s North Isles to investigate three potential Neolithic chambered tombs.

Cutter's Tooer, Stronsay. (Sigurd Towrie)
Cutter’s Tooer, Stronsay. (Sigurd Towrie)

As part of our Tombs of the Isles project, they will be in Rousay on April 25-26, and surveying the Knowe of Lingro. On April 27-28, its out to Shapinsay to look at Castle Bloody and at Stronsay’s Cutter’s Tooer, on May 2-3.

We are interested to find out:

  • What are the layout of the sites and are there any buried features or structures that many relate to their construction, use or abandonment?
  • How do any visible structural and earthwork remains relate to potential buried archaeological features?
  • How have the sites changed?
  • Are they actually Neolithic chambered tombs, as previously interpreted, or something else entirely?

Anyone interested in helping with any of the surveys, for all or part of the time, should email dan.lee@uhi.ac.uk.