Description

The monument consists of the remains of a prehistoric chambered burial cairn on the summit of Craw Knowe.

The cairn is of the Shetland "heel-shaped" type, 8m in approximate diameter with a concave facade facing SE. The remains of a central chamber can be seen, but the detail of its plan is obscured by tumbled stone. In addition, some stone has fallen outside the kerb (which is formed of very large boulders). Although the chamber has been opened, the rest of the cairn seems to have been relatively little disturbed.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, 40m in diameter and centred on the cairn, to include the cairn and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as one of a large group of small cairns in West Mainland Shetland, which appear to span the late Neolithic and earlier Bronze Age. As a group these cairns have the potential to contribute, by study and further excavation, to an understanding of this ill-defined period of Shetland prehistory. The monument itself may seal below it contemporary soils, which could provide evidence for prehistoric environmental conditions and economic activity.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU24NE 2.

Henshall AS Chambered Tombs of Scotland 1 1963 p 157

Source: Historic Environment Scotland