Blackhammer Chambered Cairn, Orkney, United Kingdom

Blackhammer Chambered Cairn is a Neolithic cairn on Rousay. It is thought to date from around 3000 BC. The structure is a typical stalled cairn, with an interior divided into seven compartments by pairs of upright stone slabs. The cairn has a modern roof, as the cairn originally was only a few feet high. Access is by a hatchway and ladder in the roof, as the original entrance was sealed. There have been finds of bones and pottery in the cairn.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Tia Christman (9 months ago)
The journey up the hill and then down into the tomb does require some effort; I wouldn't recommend it if you're not relatively fit. It is absolutely worth the stop if able, so unique and well kept inside. Free to visit and the parking area will accommodate 2 - 3 cars.

Emma Dawes (9 months ago)
Short walk from the car parking area to the Cairn. It's fun to climb down inside and see the ancient stones still in place.

mark munro (14 months ago)
Stunning 3500 year old Cairn. Set on the beautiful Island of Rousay.

pj Hou (3 years ago)
Great for the amateur historian. The entrance has a bolt but is not locked

Bee WithaD (4 years ago)
The rock was slanted! This did not help my ocd unfortunately Leyton was not on hand to move it to be level as I am too weak. Must say never visiting again as I feel it has caused me very bad anxiety of rocks! I will never see the world the same again.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright R. Van Wallendael

Historic Site of the week

St. Martin Rotunda

The Chapel of St. Martin is the only completely preserved Romanesque building in Vyšehrad and one of the oldest in Prague. In was built around 1100 in the eastern part of the fortified outer ward. Between 1100 and 1300, the Rotrunda was surrounded by a cemetery. The building survived the Hussite Wars and was used as the municipal prison of the Town of the Vyšehrad Hill.

During the Thirty Years’ War, it was used as gunpowder storage, from 1700 to 1750, it was renovated and reconsecrated. In 1784, the chapel was closed passed to the military management which kept using it as a warehouseand a cannon-amunition manufacturing facility. In 1841, it was meant to be demolished to give way to the construction of a new road through Vyšehrad. Eventually, only the original western entrance was walled up and replaced with a new one in the sountren side. The dilapidating Rotunda subsequently served as a shelter for the poor.

Blackhammer Chambered Cairn

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

St. Martin Rotunda