Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM90232_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014757)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a Neolithic chambered cairn situated on low- lying ground beside the Loch of Stenness.

Knowe of Onston, or Unstan as it is often called, has been excavated and provided with a concrete roof to allow visitor access. It is in the care of the Secretary of State.

The cairn is oval in plan, 15m NW-SE by 14m externally. It contains a chamber 7.0m by 2.5m with a small side chamber off. The body of the cairn is built in at least three layers, or skins, with revetments between each. The chamber is divided into five compartments by upright slabs set into the floor and the inner wall-face, with the end compartments each having been provided with a horizontal stone shelf.

The entrance passage, oriented ENE, enters the chamber in the side of the second compartment from the S end. On the lintel over the inner end of the entrance is a small carving of a bird and some Norse runes, but there is some doubt as to the original position of this stone. Excavation revealed burials in all of the compartments, and in addition several pottery vessels of the type now called "Unstan Ware" were recovered, with a number of flint artefacts.

The area to be scheduled is that contained within the boundary fence, and measures some 19m E-W by 17m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The fence and concrete roof are included.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine field example of a Neolithic chambered burial tomb, of the Orkney stalled cairn type. It is an outlier of the internationally-important Neolithic ceremonial landscape around the Lochs of Stenness and Harray. Although excavated, the cairn seals beneath it an old ground surface which may, on excavation and analysis, provide information about Neolithic land-use.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.