<< Our Photo Pages >> Holm of Papa Westray South - Chambered Cairn in Scotland in Orkney

Submitted by jeffrep on Friday, 06 October 2023  Page Views: 9387

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Holm of Papa Westray South Alternative Name: Diss o'the Holm
Country: Scotland County: Orkney Type: Chambered Cairn

Map Ref: HY50915183  Landranger Map Number: 5
Latitude: 59.349929N  Longitude: 2.86497W
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
 5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 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.
 2 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
 4

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drolaf visited on 13th Jun 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2 the cairn is prominent on the island and can also be seen from much of Papa Westray. Is dark inside and hard to get good photos-Jeffreps are much better than mine.

X-Ice visited on 1st Jan 1982 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 1

PAB jeffrep have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 1.5

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by PAB : Carved stone, South Cairn. It is difficult to make out in detail from this picture (my other photos didn't come out!), but in the flesh there seemed to be potentially 2 animals depicted. Hopefully someone will be able to get clearer images to post - it is now much easier to get there! June 2016 (Vote or comment on this photo)
The Holm of Papa Westray, is a very small uninhabited island and can be visited from neighbouring Papa Westray, a few hundred feet west. One of two cairns on the island, this one a Maeshowe type, with a chamber over 65 feet long with twelve side cells, two of which are double and all of which are intact. On the southeast wall of the main chamber there are several carvings of dots, circles and other shapes.

The original height was at least nine feet and the chamber oversailed to reach a ceiling width of over 2-1/2 feet, being roofed with lintels. The entry passage faces southeast, in contrast to Maeshowe's southwest. No evidence remains of any contents of the tomb. The narrow central passage with its rows of side cells has been compared with the Skara Brae “street”, suggesting that the cairn may be a “house for the ancestors.”

It's believed it was used by the Neolithic residents of the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray as a place to bury their dead. It is thought that in prehistoric times the Holm was a promontory attached to the larger Papa Westray island.

Visitors to the Holm of Papa Westray can arrange for small boat access through the School Place B&B or the Co-op shop on Papa Westray, one of the North Isles of Orkney. (Archive Information)

Note: Video Talks from the Tombs of the Isles project: Rock Art in the Holm of Papa Westray South with Dr Antonia Thomas and Death and burial in Neolithic Orkney with Prof Colin Richards, details in the comments
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Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by PAB : Carved stone in South Cairn, Holm of Papay. This stone is about 5 inches high. June 2016 (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf : side cell (Vote or comment on this photo)

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf (Vote or comment on this photo)

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf (Vote or comment on this photo)

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf : side cell in end cell

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf : end cell entrance

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by drolaf

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by durhamnature : Eyes and eyebrows? from "Journal of British Archaeology" via archive.org

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by durhamnature : Plan of the cairn, from "Scotland in Pagan Times" via archive.org

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Descriptive Sign at Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Approaching Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn by Sea, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Approaching Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn on Land, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Original Entrance to the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : New Entrance to the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : New Entrance Ladder and Central Chamber of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : One End of the Central Chamber of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Entry to One of the End Cells of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Inside One of the End Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Entry to one of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : One of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Carved Stones Inside the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

Holm of Papa Westray South
Holm of Papa Westray South submitted by jeffrep : Original Exit from the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn, Orkney, Scotland

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 210m W 275° Holm of Papa Westray Central Chambered Cairn (HY50705185)
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by AKFisher on Sunday, 14 April 2024
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Additional information links:
1. archaeologyorkney.com/tombs-of-the-isles/papa-westray/holm-of-papa-westray-south/
2. canmore.org.uk/site/3242/papa-westray-holm-of-papa-westray-south
3. www.orkneystonetools.org.uk/themes/sites/funerary/holm-papa-westray-south
4. www.papawestray.co.uk/history/holm-of-papay.html
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Video Talk: Rock Art in the Holm of Papa Westray South with Dr Antonia Thomas by Andy B on Thursday, 05 October 2023
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In this, her third lecture, Dr Antonia Thomas discusses the rock art found in the Holm of Papa Westray South chambered cairn.

Decoration in the Neolithic chamber was first recorded in 1849, with Antonia identifying 34 areas of possible marking in her 2018 survey. The majority of the markings were were created by pecking or grinding.

Part of the Tombs of the Isles research project.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4A2vtjivDw

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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by drolaf on Saturday, 25 June 2022
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it's a great journey and logistical exercise to get here, by ferries and small boat, but a worth it. the cairn is massive inside compared to Wideford, and there are mats supplied to use to crawl in the end chambers, saving the poor knees. it's quite hard to get good photos due to the limited light conditions, and not wanting to lug extra lights all the way there.
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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Kinsalegreg wrote on 29th June 2016:

Many thanks for the photos. I did not get there on my last trip to Orkney but certainly will visit next time.
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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PAB wrote on 22nd June 2016:

"New for 2016": Holm of Papay guided tours – boat trips to the Holm to visit the chambered burial cairns. For information on prices and times contact Jonathan, the Papay Ranger – details available on http://www.papawestray.co.uk

We were fortunate enough to visit Papa Westray on a day that the Ranger was taking a group over - a real delight, especially as it was unexpected!
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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Coldrum wrote on 1st October 2009:

Orcadian carving may represent human eyes and eyebrows

A remote Neolithic burial mound on an Orkney island (Scotland) may contain carvings of human eyes and eyebrows, it has been revealed. The stone is inside the Holm of Papa Westray tomb. Historic Scotland believes it is linked to the find of a carving believed to be Scotland's earliest human face, dating back thousands of years. That small Neolithic sandstone human figurine recently unearthed at Links of Noltland was believed to be up to 5,000 years old.

Richard Strachan, senior archaeologist with the Historic Scotland cultural resources team, said: "Initial comparisons do show a similarity in use of this eyebrow motif and may point to the possibility that the markings in the cairn are meant to show human eyebrows and eyes, as the style is very similar to the figurine. Alternatively, we may be seeing the re-use of a motif familiar to the carver and applied to different contexts with different meaning. This is highly intriguing and raises yet more questions about Neolithic people's attitudes to artistic representations of human beings." He added: "Images of people are very rare indeed, which some people believe suggests that it was considered taboo. But the discovery of the figurine shows there were some exceptions, and the lintel in the tomb may suggest that there were situations where particular features could be shown."

The Holm of Papa Westray tomb's remote location can only be reached by private boat hire. Experts described the previous find of the figurine as one of 'astonishing rarity'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8260611.stm
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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Coldrum wrote on 1st October 2009:

Orkney Figurine May Show That Ancient Tomb Is Carved WIth Human Eyes

New pictures suggest that a remote Neolithic island burial mound may contain carvings of human eyes and eyebrows like those recently discovered on Scotland’s oldest human figurine.

The 5,000-year-old 3.5cm tall stone carved figurine was recently found during the Historic Scotland funded excavation at the Links of Noltland prehistoric settlement on the Orkney island of Westray. Its most distinctive features include heavy, curved eyebrows with dots for eyes beneath. Archaeologists were keen to compare these with seemingly abstract markings on a lintel stone inside the Holm of Papa Westray tomb, on an island to the north east. Mike Brooks of the Historic Scotland photographic unit has now taken high-quality pictures inside the tomb which seem to suggest a link.

Richard Strachan, senior archaeologist with the Historic Scotland cultural resources team, said: “Initial comparisons do show a similarity in use of this eyebrow motif and may point to the possibility that the markings in the cairn are meant to show human eyebrows and eyes, as the style is very similar to the figurine. Alternatively, we may be seeing the re-use of a motif familiar to the carver and applied to different contexts with different meaning.”

“This is highly intriguing and raises yet more questions about Neolithic people’s attitudes to artistic representations of human beings. Images of people are very rare indeed, which some people believe suggests that it was considered taboo. But the discovery of the figurine shows there were some exceptions, and the lintel in the tomb may suggest that there were situations where particular features could be shown.”

The Holm of Papa Westray is sub-rectangular in plan and very large, measuring some 38m long by 20m wide and has 12 side chambers. The lintel with the pecked arcs and cupmarks is in the south-west extension.

The closest parallels to the lintel decoration outwith Orkney may be in the Boyne Valley in Ireland, and specifically the magnificent tomb of Knowth. This heavily decorated tomb, also has spiral decorations which have similarities to the famous Pierowall Stone which is from Westray.

Despite the fact that the Holm of Papa Westray tomb is an impressive sight, its remote location, and the fact that it can only be reached by private boat hire, means it is well off the track for most visitors to Orkney.
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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Coldrum wrote on 1st October 2009:

Archaeologists discover Scotland's oldest carving of a person

Archaeologists in Scotland have discovered the only known carving of a Neolithic human form during an excavation at the Links of Notland on Orkney.

When archaeologists on the island of Westray carefully brushed away the mud from the small piece of Neolithic carved sandstone, measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm, they found Scotland's earliest human face staring back at them.

Dating from around 3,000 BC, the discovery is being hailed as an astonishing rarity and is earliest carving of the human form to be found in Scotland – there are only two others in the whole of the British mainland.

"It was one of those Eureka moments, none of the archaeology team have seen anything like it before, it's incredibly exciting," said Historic Scotland Senior Archaeologist Richard Strachan. "The discovery of a Neolithic carving of a human was quite a moment for everyone to share in."

The find, which was made by archaeologist Jakob Kainz, initially looked like a carved stone but as the mud crumbled off he saw an eye, a nose, then a whole face staring back at him.

The Links of Notland is one of Scotland's most important archaeological sites and archaeologists are currently engaged in intensive surveys to find out more about the Neolithic inhabitants of the area, before it succumbs to wind and wave erosion. This latest discovery was made among the remains of an old stone farm building that would have once been an impressive farmhouse.

What the carving was for is uncertain, but archaeologists believe it may well have been used for ceremonial purposes. The lack of wear and tear suggests it was probably not used as a toy.

"With some of the objects found you might think they had been left behind, perhaps on a shelf, and just fell down and became buried," added Strachan. "But with something this fine and unusual it begs the question of whether it may have been deposited there intentionally, perhaps as some act of closure after the building's main use was over."

The find preceded the discovery of what archaeologists believe to be the ritually deposited skulls of 10 cattle built into the wall of a Neolithic structure that may have been attached to the main farmhouse. Some of the skulls are interlocking and all appear to be positioned upside down, with horns sticking into the ground.

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history/art71137
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Re: Holm of Papa Westray South by Anne T on Saturday, 09 March 2019
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Coldrum wrote on 1st October 2009:

Racing against time to save prehistoric Orkney treasures

A desolate site is giving up its archaeological secrets – but the wind is tearing it apart.

She may have been a deity, a fertility symbol, a shaman's prop or perhaps a votive offering. She is at least 5,000 years old, so no one really knows. But the discovery of the tiny sandstone figurine, buried in the rubble of a recently discovered neolithic house on Orkney, has electrified archaeologists.

She is of astonishing rarity and significance. Flat-faced and heavy-browed, with two rounded breasts carefully etched high on her chest, the diminutive figure is one of the oldest representations of a human yet found in Britain. Only two of similar antiquity have been unearthed, and its discovery has transformed the significance of a relatively little-known archaeological dig at the Links of Noltland on the island of Westray on the northern fringes of the Orkney islands.

This desolate site is emerging as one of the UK's most important prehistoric digs: over the last 30 years archaeologists have uncovered a complex of neolithic and bronze age houses, field systems, rich middens and possibly ceremonial buildings dating to 3,500BC.

Even before this prehistoric figure emerged, Noltland had revealed tantalising glimpses of this slowly evolving society: they kept red deer, primitive rough-haired sheep, pigs and cattle; harvested shellfish; planted wheat nourished with domestic waste and animal dung; used whalebone for rafters, tools and clothing pins; made beads; and embellished their tools with carvings and lumps of the ochre-coloured haematite imported from nearby Hoy.

Much of the site is contemporaneous with Orkney's most famous archaeological site, the neolithic village of Skara Brae on the west coast of its main island, which was laid bare, after more than 5,000 years of anonymity, by tremendous storms in 1850 and 1925.

And the wind here is another powerful parallel with Skara Brae. Over the last 30 years, the north Atlantic wind has remorselessly swept away thousands of tonnes of sand at Noltland, excavating dunes and finally exposing several thousand years of early human civilisation.But the wind now threatens to destroy the site, which sits just tens of metres from the surf. The gales are becoming more intense. It is a crisis increasingly common for coastline archaeological sites around Britain.

Since the early 1980s, the land surface at Noltland has dropped by up to 10m (33ft), leaving behind a faintly eerie landscape of isolated, steep-sided dunes topped by rough marram grass and rock- and shell-strewn sand. These tall ramparts have been sculpted by the wind and pockmarked by rabbit warrens, another cause of the site's rapid erosion. It has exposed what now appears to be a significant neolithic township. There are at least five neolithic houses and six later bronze age buildings on Noltland, and evidence of several others are emerging from under the sand.

The dig is being led by Hazel Moore and Graeme Wilson, a wife and husband team hired by the site's owners, the government agency Historic Scotland. They have worked on Noltland for 10 years and have watched, with mounting anxiety, as the wind has stripped the site. "It's pretty disastrous," says Moore. "It's just all going; I don't think there's anything we can do to stop it either. This is why we're here. Everything is being stripped away – it's being exposed and washed out."

One night, a gale sandblasted the paint off the steel container that doubles as the site office. Yet the weather is providing the couple with an unparalleled opportunity, Moore points out. Even against the backdrop of Orkney's rich archaeological history Noltland is proving hugely significant. "This site is going to be key in understanding not just here, but what was happening throughout Scotland," she says. It suggests "quite an assertive, bold society really . . . a flowering of Orkney's settlement by

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