Taversoe Tuick by Dave Via Flickr: Rousay is home to the unique, Taversoe Tuick; it's one of only two tombs in the Orkney Islands to feature two burial chambers set one above the other. It was discovered in 1898, during the construction of a sheltered 'seat', which was being made for Traill-Burroughs and his wife to enjoy the views across to the islands of Wyre and Gairsay, as well as to the Mainland of Orkney. The tomb, which was used as a burial place for the area's farming community over 4,500 years ago, was then extensively excavated in 1937, during which several skeletons and cremations, and a large amount of pottery was discovered. It had first been thought that the upper chamber was an afterthought, but the excavation work revealed that it was, in fact, part of the original design. The tomb's upper chamber is accessed via a grille door, while a ladder has been added to the inside, so as to provide access to the lower chamber.
