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Latitude: 59.1314 / 59°7'53"N
Longitude: -3.0049 / 3°0'17"W
OS Eastings: 342587
OS Northings: 1027609
OS Grid: HY425276
Mapcode National: GBR L4YL.N6Q
Mapcode Global: WH7BB.TR94
Entry Name: Taversoe Tuick, chambered cairn and nearby remains
Scheduled Date: 21 March 1929
Last Amended: 16 April 1998
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM90297
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn
Location: Rousay and Egilsay
County: Orkney Islands
Electoral Ward: North Isles
Traditional County: Orkney
The monument is a chambered cairn containing two levels of chamber, with near to it a small ancillary chamber with a stone-covered channel running between the latter and the lower of the two main chambers, on a rough platform of stones. It has been partially excavated and it is accessible to the public. The area around these features will contain evidence for activities associated with their construction and use.
Taversoe Tuick contains two chambers. The upper chamber is approached by a passage from the north. The lower, entirely subterranean chamber is approached by a passage from the south. The covered channel which connects the chambered cairn to a subterranean ancillary chamber at the south edge of the platform is on a continuation of the line of this lower passage. The rough platform consists of loose flat stones with an alley of unknown purpose leading through it to the west side of the cairn.
The area to be scheduled measures 42m N-S by 45m E-W as marked in red on the attached map. This includes both the fenced area in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and an area outside this. The above-ground parts of the fences and gate surrounding the chambered cairn and ancillary chamber are excluded from the scheduling. The concrete dome covering the upper chamber is included but the turf covering the dome and the (partly rebuilt) cairn is excluded to a depth of 0.2m.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a chambered cairn, as a rare example of a double'tiered chamber and because it includes a completely subterranean chamber. It is also of national importance for the information it contains about ritual and burial practices in the period between 4000 and 2500 BC. Its importance is recognised by its being in the care of the Scottish Ministers.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
References:
Davidson and Henshall (1989) The chambered cairns of Orkney, 160-3.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Taversoe Tuick Chambered Cairn
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/taversoee-tuick-chambered-cairn
Find out more
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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