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<< Our Photo Pages >> Achavanich - Stone Circle in Scotland in Highlands

Submitted by cosmic on Monday, 05 October 2020  Page Views: 32642

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Achavanich Alternative Name: Loch Stemster, Achkinloch
Country: Scotland County: Highlands Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Thurso  Nearest Village: Latheron
Map Ref: ND1878841772  Landranger Map Number: 11
Latitude: 58.356872N  Longitude: 3.389485W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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SumDoood visited on 1st Aug 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

SandyG visited on 28th Aug 2014 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

jeffrep visited on 19th May 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

soulsurfer visited on 9th Sep 2012 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5 A magnificent and unusual stone setting with very easy access.

markj99 visited on 6th Jul 2011 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Achavanich is one of the most impressive sites in Scotland. It's unique U-shape adds a layer of intrigue to an already brilliant site.

markj99 visited on 6th Jul 2011 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Achavanich is one of the most impressive sites in Scotland. It's unique U-shape adds a layer of intrigue to an already brilliant site.

SolarMegalith visited on 1st Oct 2008 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

DrewParsons lizh Andy B NickyD have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.29 Ambience: 4.43 Access: 4.57

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by dodomad : Ava, an abbreviation of Achavanich, the area where she was originally discovered in 1987 in a rare rock-cut tomb in the county of Caithness, was originally presented with a mane of red waves and blue eyes. The team behind Ava’s first coming out have issued a retraction of sorts in the form of an updated facial reconstruction—new DNA analysis shows that Ava had straight black hair, brown eyes a... (Vote or comment on this photo)
A unique megalithic horseshoe in Highland. The name means "field of the monks". 34 stones remain from 54, mostly on the western side. As the photograph shows, the slabs are pointing towards the centre of the site, rather than the typical side-by-side arrangement.

Set among the heather with a good view of the mountainous Scottish highlands to the south-west.

Access: Just south of Loch Semster, immediately east of a lane, a kilometer off the A895. Near Achavanich on the A895 there is a ruined broch on the shore of a loch.

Note: 'Ava' updates - a new reproduction based on updated DNA evidence, a 3D model of her cist, and now fully published with Open Access. More in the comments on our page, including the link to Channel 4's latest 'Bone Detectives'
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Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SandyG : Stones forming the western side of the setting. View from the north (11th August 2014). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SolarMegalith : View for the eastern side of the stone circle and Loch Semster (photo taken on October 2008). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by dodomad : The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project: The Bronze Age beaker, which is a Clarke N4-type. Photo Credit: M Hoole (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Bladup : Achavanich. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SandyG : The north eastern part of the setting. View from south (11th August 2014). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SolarMegalith : Stones in the eastern part of the stone circle. Out of 54 stones only 34 survived till nowadays (photo taken on October 2008).

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by DrewParsons : View from the top (southern) end of the setting towards Loch Stemster. September 2010.

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SolarMegalith : Northern part of the circle with a stunning view of Loch Semster on the second plan.

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SolarMegalith : Two sigificant stones in the Western part of the circle. (photo taken on October 2008)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by cosmic : NW corner

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by SteveCo : Achavanich Stone Circle ND188417 (1 comment)

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by icpictures : Infrared Capture

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by icpictures

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by icpictures

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by icpictures

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by icpictures

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine : 2008

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Antonine

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by dodomad : The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project: Ava's skull, which has survived in a very good condition, although the mandible and most of the occipital bone are missing. The human bones were examined by Mary Harman. The cranium was reported as being very short and broad, although there was no sign of distortion. Harman noted that the individual had an exceptionally high cephalic/cranial index. Photo...

Achavanich
Achavanich submitted by Bladup : Achavanich.

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 97m ESE 121° Achkinloch* Chambered Cairn (ND18874172)
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 7.5km SE 138° Lybster* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (ND237361)
 7.5km ENE 72° Grey Cairns of Camster : Round Cairn* Round Cairn (ND26034390)
 7.5km N 350° Halsary Standing Stone Standing Stone (Menhir) (ND17644923)
 7.6km ENE 70° Grey Cairns of Camster : Long Cairn* Chambered Cairn (ND26014420)
 7.6km ENE 72° Grey Cairns of Camster : Chambered Round Cairn* Chambered Cairn (ND26084403)
 7.7km ENE 59° Lower Camster Broch Broch or Nuraghe (ND25554558)
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"Achavanich" | Login/Create an Account | 15 News and Comments
  
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Channel 4's latest Bone Detectives now available on My4 by Andy B on Monday, 05 October 2020
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Discovered nearly 30yrs ago during road improvements to the A9 in Scotland, the remains of a 'Beaker' woman nicknamed Ava are re-examined in Channel 4's "Bone Detectives" and are now available on My4.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/bone-detectives-britains-buried-secrets

Sem says: Well worth a watch, especially for up to date DNA analysis and current theories on British prehistoric development.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Channel 4's latest Bone Detectives now available on My4 by MGDineley on Thursday, 08 October 2020
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    Yes, well worth a watch. They speculate that maybe there was a catastrophe that caused the DNA change between the neolithic and the bronze age. They seem to be unaware of the research by the dendrochronologist Prof. Mike Baillie (Exodus to Arthur: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg16121685-700-exodus-to-arthur-by-mike-baillie/). He discovered a 9 year winter between 2354 and 2345 BC, where there was very little tree growth anywhere in the world. This sort of climate blip would kill off 95% of the population.
    [ Reply to This ]

Cist at Craig-na-feich, Achavanich (Ava's cist) in 3D by Andy B on Monday, 05 October 2020
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Maya Hoole writes: I decided to run the photographs taken of the Achavanich cist burial in 1987 through my photogrammetry software and see if I could get a result. With a little bit of tweaking here and there, and playing with which photos to include in the dataset, I soon found myself staring mouth-open-wide at the screen. This is what I found:

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/cist-at-craig-na-feich-achavanich-avas-cist-7d6b1b74c9f44a23bf54c0144bb81077




Cist at Craig-na-feich, Achavanich (Ava's cist)
by MayaHoole
on Sketchfab




I know this model doesn’t look great, but the photo dataset I used to create this was made in 1987, and was never intended to be used for this purpose.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Cist at Craig-na-feich, Achavanich (Ava's cist) in 3D by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Tuesday, 06 October 2020
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    Great work Maya. Gives me a closer insight into the burial. A fantastic site that I intend to visit.
    [ Reply to This ]

New DNA evidence drastically changes the image of the young woman buried in Caithness by Andy B on Monday, 05 October 2020
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Two years ago, the internet went gaga for a facial reconstruction of “Ava,” an early Bronze Age woman buried in the Scottish Highlands more than 4,000 years ago. Ava, an abbreviation of Achavanich, the area where she was originally discovered in 1987 in a rare rock-cut tomb in the county of Caithness, was originally presented with a mane of red waves and blue eyes. But Steven McKenzie at the BBC reports that the team behind Ava’s first coming out have issued a retraction of sorts in the form of an updated facial reconstruction—new DNA analysis shows that Ava had straight black hair, brown eyes and that her family were relatively recent migrants to Great Britain when she died.

Since the initial discovery, researchers have learned what they could about the 18- to 25-year-old woman. She had a 5-foot-5 frame and may have belonged to the Bell Beaker Culture, a group that lived in central and western Europe during the time period and migrated to Britain, introducing metal working and mixing with local farming cultures.

More here
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/no-wait-real-ava-bronze-age-woman-scottish-highlands-180970950/
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Giving life to a woman found in a 4,250-year-old grave in Caithness by Andy B on Monday, 03 December 2018
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Researchers have gained new insights into the life of a woman who died more than 4,250 years ago.

Known as "Ava", her bones were found in a grave cut into solid bedrock at Achavanich in Caithness in 1987.

New ancient DNA research has shown that she was descended from European migrants who arrived in Britain a few generations before she was born.

The analysis also suggested that she likely had brown eyes and black hair, and that she was lactose intolerant.

The research, published in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and led by archaeologist Maya Hoole, has shed new light on previous ideas on Ava's appearance. She was found to be from an earlier date than previously thought.

The new analysis of her genomic data has resulted in the making of a new facial reconstruction of Ava by a forensic artist, Hew Morrison.

The original reconstruction interpreted Ava with red hair and blue eyes.

Ms Hoole said the new ancient DNA evidence, gathered by experts at the Natural History Museum in London and Harvard Medical School, had revealed more accurately what Ava would have looked like.

She said: "Archaeologists rarely recover evidence that indicates hair, eye or skin colour but these new revolutionary techniques allow us to see prehistoric people like we never have before.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-46289045?fbclid=IwAR3Q21oD4xwolDFgfQ_TeZSmzElL5j6xN2XVdpXz1TbrvauHscSSV4s3MDw
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‘Ava’: a Beaker-associated woman from a cist at Achavanich by Andy B on Monday, 03 December 2018
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New paper - Open Access
‘Ava’: a Beaker-associated woman from a cist at Achavanich, Highland, and the story of her (re-)discovery and subsequent study

Maya Hoole, Alison Sheridan. Angela Boyle, Thomas Booth, Selina Brace, Yoan Diekmann, Iñigo Olalde, Mark G Thomas, Ian Barnes, Jane Evans, Carolyn Chenery,
Hilary Sloane, Hew Morrison. Sheena Fraser, Scott Timpany, Derek Hamilton

This contribution describes the discovery and subsequent investigation of a cist in a rock-cut pit at Achavanich, Highland. Discovered and excavated in 1987, the cist was found to contain the tightly contracted skeletal remains of a young woman, accompanied by a Beaker, three flint artefacts and a cattle scapula. Initial post excavation work established a date for the skeleton together with details of her age and sex, and preliminary pollen analysis of sediments attaching to the Beaker was undertaken.

The findings were never fully published and, upon the death of the excavator, Robert Gourlay, the documentary archive was left in the Highland Council Archaeology Unit. Fresh research in 2014–17, initiated and co-ordinated by the first-named author and funded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland with assistance from National Museums Scotland, the Natural History Museum and Harvard Medical School, has produced a significant amount of new information on the individual and on some of the items with which she was buried.

This new information includes two further radiocarbon dates, a more detailed osteological report, isotopic information pertaining to the place where she had been raised and to her diet, histological information on the decomposition of her body, and genetic information that sheds light on her ancestry, her hair, eye and skin colour and her intolerance of lactose. (This is the first time that an ancient DNA report has been published in the Proceedings.)

Moreover, a facial reconstruction adds virtual flesh to her bones. The significance of this discovery within the Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age of this part of Scotland is discussed, along with the many and innovative ways in which information on this individual, dubbed ‘Ava’, has been disseminated around the world.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9750/PSAS.147.1250

http://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/psas/article/view/10106
http://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/psas/article/view/10106/10071 (PDF)
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Podcast Interviews: Achavanich Beaker Burial Project: Discovering Ava with Maya Hoole by Andy B on Sunday, 10 June 2018
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The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project: Discovering Ava with Maya Hoole
https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/achavanich/

The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project: The Beaker People with Dr. Alison Sheridan
https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/achavanich-beaker-burial-project-beaker-people-dr-alison-sheridan/
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Analysis of pollen has identified plants used for medicinal purposes. by Andy B on Thursday, 09 March 2017
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Analysis of pollen found on pottery buried with a young woman more than 4,100 years ago has identified plants used for medicinal purposes.

Known as "Ava", an abbreviation of Achavanich, she is the subject of a long-term research project managed by archaeologist Maya Hoole.

Ms Hoole said the presence of the pollen "raises interesting questions".

Last year, forensic artist Hew Morrison created a facial reconstruction of Ava.

Now the results of other research have been published.

Analysis of pollen recovered from a decorated beaker buried with Ava identified various plants and trees.

Archaeologist Ms Hoole said: "Of the pollen recovered the majority were from trees and shrubs including birch, pine - most likely Scots pine - hazel and alder.

"Heather was also identified, as well as grasses, meadowsweet and St John's wort.

"The inclusion of meadowsweet proves interesting as it has also appeared at other Bronze Age burials elsewhere in Scotland.

"The presence of both meadowsweet and St John's wort may represent a deliberate inclusion of flowers within the burial. Interestingly, both of these plants are also considered to have medicinal properties."

The archaeologist added: "The presence of several different species of plant which are considered to have medicinal properties raises interesting questions: was this intentional, and was it in any way related to whatever caused the death of this individual?"

Other results of the latest research included:

Stable isotope analysis, funded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and carried out by Dr Jane Evans and her team at Nerc, suggests that although buried two to three hours walk from the sea, Ava was not consuming any marine resources and was likely eating terrestrial based foods such as cattle and freshwater fish

The stable isotope analysis also suggests that Ava was likely local to the Caithness area, most likely to the west or south of her burial site, although not in the immediate surroundings

Radiocarbon dates, funded as part of a larger research project being undertaken at the Natural History Museum in London and carried out by SUERC in East Kilbride suggests Ava to be approximately 200 years earlier than originally thought. She is now considered to be more than 4,100 years old. She is currently the earliest identified individual from the Caithness area, and is among the earliest known Bronze Age burials from Scotland

The interpretation of the pollen analysis, (also funded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and carried out by Dr Scott Timpany of the University of the Highlands and Islands, needs to be quite tentative as it recovered a huge amount of pollen, says Ms Hoole. However, it suggests that this part of Scotland was likely a mixture of woodland or heathland at this time, which is different to the current landscape which has no, or little, existing natural woodland. Ava was likely to have been alive before the majority of the Caithness landscape was deforested

Ava's remains, along with other artefacts found with her, are held in the care of Caithness Horizons museum in Thurso.

Unusually, the Bronze Age woman was buried in a pit dug into solid rock and her skull is an abnormal shape which some suggest was the result of deliberate binding.

It is believed Ava was part of a much wider European group known as the Beaker people.

Further research is to be done in an effort to shed more light on Ava and her burial.

More at BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39191527
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Analysis of pollen has identified plants used for medicinal purposes. by MGDineley on Thursday, 08 October 2020
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    The first residue analysis of this pot by palaeobotanist Brian Moffat, showed "prepared cereal - a coarse mixture of barley and oats" and he suggested that this could be the earliest known alcohol from Caithness.
    This information comes from a pamphlet produced by The Highland Regional Council about this site. I can no longer find this pamphlet online.

    The herbs meadowsweet and St. John's wort are not only medicinal, they are also popular gruit herbs, they are used to preserve ale.
    I don't know why Maya left out the references to alcohol, because when used as medicines these herbs need a base of alcohol to dissolve the active alkaloids. Salycilates are not soluble in water.
    [ Reply to This ]

The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project by Andy B on Monday, 21 November 2016
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Maya Hoole writes: In 1987 the remains of an individual buried over 3,700 years ago was discovered at Achavanich in Caithness in the north of Scotland. The site was rescued and excavated by the Highland Regional Council Archaeology Unit. However unfortunate circumstances led to the site being mostly forgotten about over the next three decades, but it still had so much to offer and to teach us about the Middle Bronze Age in Northern Scotland.

I had one objective when I started this project: to change our understanding of this site and, over the last year, have been trying to make this happen. We have we have nicknamed the individual 'Ava'

Recent Posts: Reconstructing Ava: a step-by-step guide
Hew Morrison explains how he created a 2D reconstruction of Ava's face
https://achavanichbeakerburial.wordpress.com/2016/08/17/reconstructing-ava-a-step-by-step-guide/

3D laser scan – Ava’s skull
https://achavanichbeakerburial.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/3d-laser-scan-avas-skull/

Location of the burial
Directions: If travelling north along the A9 from Latheron towards Thurso, the site is located on the eastern side of the A9 road, approximately 710m (0.7 km) beyond the turn off to the Achavanich stone setting to the north. Almost immediately after the turn off to the stone setting, you will pass a house on your left hand side. Here the road straightens out for approximately 325m before gradually curving to the left. [there's nothing left to see at the site sadly]

Whilst on the straight section you will see directly in front of you that there is a small hummock at the side of the road which shows signs of quarrying. The Achavanich Beaker Burial was discovered in the area of quarrying.

The cist burial was discovered 1.83 km (1.14 miles) – as the crow flies – from the Achavanich stone setting. Located at NGR: ND 17836 43335
http://her.highland.gov.uk/singleResult.aspx?uid=MHG13613

More at The Achavanich Beaker Burial Project
https://achavanichbeakerburial.wordpress.com/
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Achavanich Street View by SteveDut on Thursday, 25 March 2010
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View Larger Map
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Re: Achavanich by AngieLake on Monday, 15 October 2007
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Burl comments on Achavanich in Chapter 9 of his book 'Stonehenge - A New History of the World's Greatest Stone Circle' [Constable, 2006].

He compares the horseshoe setting at Stonehenge with the plentiful megalithic horseshoes in Brittany, but adds:
"In Britain and Ireland horseshoe shapes are unusual."
He also mentions that "... immense ovals also exist along the west coast of Britain - ....", quoting some sites in Scotland and North Uist.
"They are all near the sea."
............
"Like the great ovals, it is significant that the horseshoes in Britain and Ireland are also near a bay or river-mouth, as though set up by seafarers. There is a fine example in Caithness at Achavanich, 'field of the holy man', by Loch Stemster five miles from Lybster Bay and only six north of the immense 'Breton' oval of Achnagoul. The setting has a characteristic Breton 'high-and-low' trait, with taller stones on its eastern side. Astronomically, it is aligned NNW towards the most northerly setting of the winter moon. Like other horseshoes, it was composed of local material."
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Achavanich by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09 April 2003
Achavanich Circle damaged by lay-by

A BUNGLING roads boss unwittingly ordered the destruction of part of a 4000-year-old ancient monument near Lybster.
Highland Council workers were preparing to tarmac over historic ruins to create a lay-by for visitors to the standing stones at Achavanich before a concerned local historian pointed out the gaffe to embarrassed council chiefs.


Work ground to a halt last week while Historic Scotland assessed the damage and the local authority employed an archaeologist to ensure work can continue without further damage to the site.

The £10,000 project was funded by the Highland Council’s recent Scottish Executive windfall under a quality of life and environment initiative. It was hoped the lay-by would provide “safe and convenient” access for the public to reach the ancient monument.

Ian Hargrave, acting Caithness area manager, claims the blunder was “largely a technicality”.
He revealed that the Highland Council believed the scheduled monumental site stopped at the fence, in off the roadside, when in fact it extends to the edge of the road.

“That’s why people got a wee bit excited about it,” he said. “Historic Scotland has examined the site and an archaeologist consultant has been engaged to ensure the project can be completed.”

The council did not need planning permission for the project because it falls under the auspices of the roads authority. However, Richard Guest, the area transport, environmental and community services manager, admitted it would have been wise to consult Historic Scotland over the plans.
Mr Guest added that an initial report by the archaeologist employed by the council suggested that the area dug up by the council to lay the foundations for the lay-by did not hold anything of archaeological importance.

However, an Historic Scotland spokeswoman yesterday said she believes the site destroyed by the council is part of the unusual horseshoe-shaped arrangement of small standing stones at Achavanich. She added: “Fortunately the damage was minimal.”

The standing stones are believed to date back to the Bronze Age and have held ritual importance in the county for centuries, although their precise purpose and date is unknown. The tallest is two metres high. Some stones may have been taller, but weathering has caused them to crack and split.

Only 36 stones remain in the setting, although there may have been about 54 originally.
Achavanich is in Councillor Billy Mowat’s Caithness South-East ward. He declined to comment on the council’s gaffe because he said he was sure the situation would be resolved.
Mr Mowat welcomes the lay-by which he hopes will encourage more visitors to the area.

Source, John O'Groat Journal
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We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.