Standing Stones of Stenness

Standing Stones of Stenness

Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism

It is thought that the Standing Stones of Stenness were built over 5000 years ago in 3100 - 2900 BC and is therefore considered one of the earliest henges in Britain. The Standing Stones of Stenness are part of a world heritage site called “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney”, which also includes Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and other nearby sites. The Stones of Stenness look very different today than they would have looked thousands of years ago when they were first built. Only four of the stones in the ring remain today, the tallest is 5.7m high. Originally, there were thought to be twelve tall standing stones laid out in an ellipse which were surrounded by an estimated 2.3m deep and 4m long ditch. The ditch can no longer be seen. There is also a large stone hearth in the centre of the platform. Additionally, there are now two angular slabs close to the hearth, but it is not understood if they were part of the original henge. Look at the 3D model to get an idea of how the stones currently look and where the missing stones would have been originally placed. There is also an interesting sketch from (estimated) 1818 which shows what the stones looked like then. There are many standing stones in Orkney and legends associated with them. Some legends talk of how the stones used to be giants, trolls or witches which were transformed to stone by the strong rays of the Orkney sun. One of the most popular legends concerns Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve), where it believed that some of the standing stones come to life and walk to a nearby body of water to drink and dip their heads in. Other traditions are more morbid, such as the belief that the central stone slab within the ring was most likely used as an alter where human sacrifices were made. This was considered by Sir Walter Scott (a Scottish novelist, poet, historian and biographer) who visited the Standing Stones of Stenness in August 1814. Explore the nearby stones "Odin Stone" and "Ring of Brodgar" on the map to learn of other interesting legends.

standingstones

Estimated 3100-2900BC

lj77

Site

387

12/04/2022

04/26/2022 04:01:56 pm

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stones-of-stenness-circle-and-henge/history/ , https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/514/ , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/monoliths/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/altar.htm

cm x cm x cm

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stones-of-stenness-circle-and-henge/history/ , https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/514/ , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/monoliths/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/altar.htm

current,58.99403,-3.20803;

Standing Stones of Stenness

TEXT

Archaeological

756

lj77@st-andrews.ac.uk

Sources: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stones-of-stenness-circle-and-henge/history/ , https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/514/ , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/monoliths/index.html , http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/standingstones/altar.htm