Mine Howe, Iron Age archaeological site in Tankerness, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Mine Howe is an archaeological site in Tankerness featuring an underground chamber accessed via a stone stairway with multiple levels and passages. The structure uses carefully fitted stones and a corbelled roof, with a half-landing creating separate openings at different heights.
The site dates to the Iron Age roughly 2000 years ago and shows building practices common to that period in Scotland. The underground structure was likely designed for specific purposes such as storage or protection.
The chamber shows how Iron Age inhabitants understood stone construction and spatial design in ways that still stand out to visitors. Such knowledge reflects the technical skills and planning of ancient communities in this remote northern region.
The site is located southeast of Kirkwall and requires protective gear such as helmets when entering the underground spaces. Access is limited to protect the archaeological remains and ensure visitor safety.
The underground chamber is unusually complex for its time, with a half-landing connecting different spaces at separate levels. This multi-level design was rare in northern Scotland and reveals distinctive architectural planning.
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