Standing Stones of Yoxie, Pettigarths Field Settlement, Mid Breck Whalsy, Shetland. A Neolithic building, posibly a temple.
The Standing Stones of Yoxie, are one of two Neolithic buildings with accompanying field systems at the NE end of Whalsy Island. According to Calder, who excavated the site in 1954-55, it is a Neolithic Temple. The excavation yielded a quantity of stone implements some of which may be early, but many may belong to a secondary Iron Age phase as IA potsherds were also found. The 'Benie Hoose', which Calder assumed to be an associated 'Priest's House', lies higher up the slope about 100 yds to the west. The structure, of drystone masonry, measures overall by Its layout is not quite the same as the Benie Hoose comprising a paved circular forecourt, a long flagged passage, then a circular chamber beyond which is an inner chamber with two large portal stones flanking the entrance which faces the passage. The inner chamber is shaped on plan like a clover leaf, Calder thought the middle lobe woulf have contained an altar as in some Maltese were few and consisted mainly of stone implements, and pottery sherds from a later occupation in the Iron Age. The building is thought to be Late Stone Age, the only closely comparable site known in the British Isles at Staneydale, Shetland which was also excavated by the Calder.
Size: 3780px × 2657px
Location: Standing Stones of Yoxie, Pettigarths Field Settlement, Mid Breck, Isbister, Whalsy, Lerwick, Shetla
Photo credit: © Jean Williamson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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