New study of Scotland's ancient burial monuments

The monuments are thought to have been built for rituals

A new project aims to uncover more details about ancient stone monuments believed to have been built by Scotland's first farmers.

The Early Neolithic megalithic chambered and passage tombs are thought to be connected to burial rituals.

Archaeologists believe they could have been constructed 6,300 and 5,800 years ago, though few sites have been scientifically dated.

The research will include small-scale excavations at a handful of locations to find material that could be radiocarbon-dated, such as bones or charcoal.

The monuments are found in Argyll and Bute, Western Isles and Highlands.

There are also sites in Ireland and Wales, and similar types in north-west France.

In Scotland, they appeared around the time when the prehistoric way of life known as hunter-gathering shifted to farming.

Dr Helen Spencer, head of research at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: "This was a hugely important time in Scottish prehistory, which is why it's so crucial that we address the gaps in our knowledge.

"There's been a lot of debate about the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming, including how much was due to migration during the Neolithic period and if any of the changes were driven by local populations who took on and adapted to this new way of life."

Dr Spencer said dating the monuments could help to more precisely date when the first farmers arrived in Scotland from continental Europe, possibly France.

She added: "These results would help answer what are arguably some of the biggest questions in Scottish archaeological research."

Local communities will be offered the chance to take part in the project.

Audrey Henshall was a pioneer in the study of Scottish chambered cairns.

The two-year Archaeology Scotland project is being funded from a bequest left to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

The £100,000 fund was set up in memory of archaeologist Audrey Henshall, a pioneer in Scottish chamber cairn research who died in 2021.

Neolithic means the "new stone age" and some of Scotland's best-known sites from that time are found in Orkney.

They include standing stones, Skara Brae settlement and Maeshowe chambered tomb.