Stanydale

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Stanydale Temple
Stanydale Temple

Stanydale (also Staneydale) is the oldest prehistoric structure in a series of structures on Scotland's northern islands . Nearby are other floor plans that are mistaken for houses or temples. Stanydale Temple (referred to as the Stanydale Stone Circle on T. Bullock's CD-ROM ) is located on Shetland's main island, Mainland, south of the A971 between the towns of Bixter and Bridge of Walls .

Stanydale house (schematic)

The most famous of the prehistoric apparitions to the west of Mainland was first described as a double version of the oval transept. This differs in shape from an Irish court tomb, despite many similarities, in that it has only a single chamber in addition to two niches in the brickwork at the head of the central courtyard. This chamber is also round - at the Court Tombs there is a row of rectangular chambers. The remains of two posts were found in the yard at Stanydale, the location of which was marked by stones. Their wood (an American tree species) is said to have washed ashore on the treeless islands. These piles triggered a roofing theory, which is why we initially talked about a house. On the other hand, similarities with the Cairns that are common in the Shetlands cannot be overlooked. The pottery found indicates that it was used from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age .

Stanydale is accessible and signposted all year round. A 1.2 km long trail marked by black and white poles leads from the parking lot to the property. To overcome the fences there are stiles (English "styes").

In addition to Stanydale, this type is also represented in Gruting School and The Gairdie in relatively good condition . Less good specimens are Brouster , Culsetter No. 1 , Girlsta , Ness of Gruting No. 2 , Stromness Voe and Vassa Voe .

literature

  • Anna Ritchie, Graham Ritchie: Scotland. To Oxford Archaeological Guide (= Oxford archaeological guides. ) . Oxford University Press, Oxford et al. 1998, ISBN 0-19-288002-0 .
  • Charles ST Calder: Report on the discovery of numerous stone age house sites in Shetland. In: Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Vol. 89, 1955/1956, ISSN  0081-1564 , pp. 340-397 .

Web links

Coordinates: 60 ° 14 ′ 7.6 "  N , 1 ° 29 ′ 11.8"  W.