Tomb of the Eagles

The Tomb of the Eagles, or Isbister Chambered Cairn, is a Neolithic chambered tomb located on a cliff edge at Isbister on South Ronaldsay in Orkney, Scotland [1]. The site was discovered by Ronald Simison when digging flagstones in 1958; he conducted a limited excavation and removed some bones and skulls at that time but filled in the site with dirt [1]. A more extensive excavation was started in 1976, and "an enormous amount of material was removed", according to a report published in 2002 [1]. At the site, 16,000 human bones have been found, from at least 324 individuals, but no intact skeletons [1]. Mixed with the human bones were talons and bones from eight to 20 birds [1]. Some believed that the eagle was a totem animal for the individuals entombed here, but subsequent research indicated that the bird artifacts were added at a later time [1]. These were identified as predominantly belonging to the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) [1].