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  The Ring o' Brodgar, Stenness

Archaeology around the Ring o' Brodgar

Fresh Knowe. Picture by Sigurd TowrieAlthough the megaliths on the Ness o' Brodgar are the most striking remains of Orkney's ancient past, they are but the tip of the iceberg.

The landscape surrounding the Ring o' Brodgar and the Standing Stones o' Stenness is littered with archaeological sites - many of which go unnoticed by visitor, and local, alike.

The Brodgar ring, for example, is surrounded by a complex of Bronze Age burial barrows, mounds, cairns and prehistoric earthworks. The four large mounds - Salt Knowe, Fresh Knowe, South Knowe and Plumcake Knowe - were excavated in the early 19th century.

Map of Ring o' Brodgar area

Some of the major archaeological sites surrounding the Ring o' Brodgar are shown in the diagram below.

Roll your mouse over the relevant site to see its name and click for more information. Other sites, not covered on the map, are the Wasbister Disc Barrow, The Dyke o' Sean, Skae Frue, and the Ring o' Bookan

The significance of the landscape