Oblique aerial view of Callanish.

Description Oblique aerial view of Callanish.

Date 1973

Collection John Dewar

Catalogue Number RC 2638 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 1783279

Scope and Content Callanish stone circle, Lewis, Western Isles Callanish stone circle lies on a hillock called 'Cnoc an Tursa' - 'Hill of Sorrow' to the north of the crofting village of Callanish, Lewis. The monument was built around 2900-2600BC during the Neolithic Period (c.4000-2000BC) and comprises a stone circle 12m in diameter with arms radiating roughly towards the cardinal points. This view from the south-east shows the stone circle (left foreground). There is a double row of stones forming an avenue that run from the circle towards Callanish village (top right). The tallest stone stands in the circle's centre where, later in the Neolithic, a burial cairn was built. The remains of peat cuttings can also be seen (foreground). Analysis of pollen from Callanish has revealed that there was a very different environment during the Neolithic. The stone circle was built on farmland, the peat that now covers the ancient soils had yet to form and it is likely that the waters of Loch Roag now occupy the site of early cultivation fields. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference 6756/CN/A1

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/24046