Fresh Knove

Discovered in 2006, remains of Fresh Knove (also Fresh Knowe), a chamber grave ( English chambered tomb ) on the Brodgar Ness on Mainland to Orkney in Scotland , prove to be the link between the Stalled Cairns (eg Unstan ) and equipment of the Maeshowe type . The find on the Ness , like some other systems, has the characteristics of both Neolithic , Orcadian Cairn types .

The chamber tomb has an oval structure with a length of about 7.5 and a width of 4.5 m. The access points to the southeast. Stone posts divide radially arranged compartments. They are similar to those found in the Crantit Cairn in 1998 . The structure was surrounded by a curtain wall similar to that of Barnhouse VIII. This may have been added to create a broad stone stage similar to that of Quoyness on Sanday .

The purpose of the complex is unclear, as it shows elements of both ritual and apparently profane architecture. The access features are identical to those of Knowes o 'Trotty (or o' Huntscarth).

The dating of the structure and its position within the Neolithic settlement on the Ness are also still unclear. Some features indicate that the facility was already out of use in the early Bronze Age. A triangular stone box was found overlying the complex. In the box were found two small stone blocks with the same rhombus decoration as the larger stone known as the Brodgar Stone, found in the same field in 1925. This stone, also found in a stone box, is covered by eight rhombus bands. The motif can be found in a number of megalithic locations on Orkney and beyond.

Web links

• Entry on Fresh Knove  in Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland's database

Coordinates: 59 ° 0 ′ 6.6 ″  N , 3 ° 13 ′ 37.5 ″  W.