Region : Orkney Island : Mainland Town or village : Finstown Grid Reference : HY 363 127 Period : 3rd millennium BC Cuween Hill CHAMBERED CAIRN

On a hillside, with extensive views to the East and North, there is this low mound (2.6m high and 16.8m in diameter), covering a Neolithic chambered tomb. The roofed passage is 3m long and only 0.8m high. The 3m long passage enters a central, rectangular chamber. In each side of the chamber is a small opening leading to a cell. The south one (on the left side of the photo) is divided in two. As seen in the photo, the walling is very well built, mainly with thin slabs. The lower part of it is vertical, but the upper courses oversail slightly as they rise. During excavations in 19th century, the skeletons of eight human beings and a lot of animal bones were found. On the floor of the main chamber there were also the skulls of 24 dogs (a probable totemic feature, as sea eagles at Isbister). In care of Historic Scotland

Other chambered cairns ------------------ Achnacree (Carn Ban) Barpa Langass Beorgs of Housetter Blackhammer Cairnholy I Cairnholy II Camster Long Camster Round Camus nan Geall Clettraval Cnoc Freiceadain North Cnoc Freiceadain South Coille na Borgie South Cuween Hill East Bennan Garrywhin (Cairn o' Get) Holm of Papa Westray North Holm of Papa Westray South Isbister (Tomb of the Eagles) Knowe of Lairo Knowe of Yarso Maes Howe Midhowe Nether Largie South Ord North Ord South Punds Water South Yarrows South Taversoe Tuick Torrylin Unival Unstan Vinquoy Wideford Hill Other sites in Orkney ---------------------- Barnhouse Settlement Barnhouse Stone Blackhammer Comet Stone Cuween Hill Dwarfie Stane Grain Gurness Holm of Papa Westray North Holm of Papa Westray South Isbister (Tomb of the Eagles) Knap of Howar Knowe of Lairo Knowe of Yarso Liddle Maes Howe Midhowe Broch Midhowe Chambered Cairn Rennibister Ring of Brodgar (Brogar) Skara Brae Stone of Setter Stones of Stenness Taversoe Tuick Unstan Vinquoy Watch Stone Wideford Hill