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Welcome to the Standing Stones of Stenness

 

Part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (since 1999, ref. 0514)

 

This is one of the earliest stone circles

in Britain. The stones were raised

about 5,000 years ago. Originally

the circle consisted of 11 or 12 stones.

They were surrounded by a wide ditch

crossed by a single causeway. Outside the

ditch ran a substantial outer bank.

At the centre of the circle was a large

hearth. In Neolithic houses, such as

those at Barnhouse and Skara Brae, the

hearth formed a focal point. The hearth

at Stenness may have had a symbolic

role linked to the layout of a house.

It has even been suggested that this

hearth was brought here from a

dwelling at neighboring Barnhouse.

 

Ceremonial Use

 

The single entrance and bank created

a central space where access could

be carefully controlled. Although we

cannot say for sure what happened

within the circle, it probably involved

ceremonies and rituals. One can

imagine at special times of year a

large fire illuminating the stones,

with the sounds of people and

musical instruments, and the

smells of food and drink.

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[Text taken from a sign at the site]

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