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Blackhammer is a Neolithic chambered cairn located on the island of Rousay in Orkney, Scotland, dating to approximately 3000–2400 BCE. The monument consists of a long mound containing a series of interconnected rectangular stone-built chambers arranged in sequence along its length, a distinctive architectural form characteristic of Orkney's stalled cairns. The structure demonstrates sophisticated dry-stone construction techniques and represents an important example of Neolithic communal burial practice in northern Scotland. Excavation has revealed evidence of multiple burials and deposits within the chambers, contributing significantly to understanding the funerary and social practices of Neolithic Orkney communities.
Blackhammer,chambered cairn,Rousay is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90035. View the official record →
Blackhammer is a Neolithic chambered cairn located on the island of Rousay in Orkney, Scotland, dating to approximately 3000–2400 BCE. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90035.
Blackhammer,chambered cairn,Rousay dates from the neolithic period, and is classified as a chambered cairn,rousay. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Blackhammer,chambered cairn,Rousay is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM90035.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Hall of Rendall, settlement 275m NE of and St Thomas's Kirk (6.7 km), Ness of Boray,broch (7.2 km), Seven Knowes, mounds (7.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Blackhammer,chambered cairn,Rousay's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Blackhammer,chambered cairn,Rousay stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.