Knowe of Yarso

This 4900 year old stalled cairn sits above Eynhallow Sound on a continuation of the ridge below the uplands on the south side of Rousay island. The chamber is divided into stalls by vertical flagstones whilst the retaining walls comprise two layers of stonework, one on top of the other in a local tradition of a double skin of stone around the chamber. The stonework reflects the local Unstan Ware pottery's decoration tradition of triangular motifs. When excavated in 1934 the remains of at least 29 adults were found although for 17 only the skulls were found. The bones were disarticulated and arranged neatly in groups facing inwards.