The lower chamber

The lower entrance passageway.

The Taversoe Tuick's lower chamber was dug into the hillside and accessible by a low, narrow, south-east facing passage approximately six metres long.

The lower passage increases in height and width as it enters the mound - measuring a mere 40cm wide and 60cm high at the entrance, the passage increases to 60cm wide and 1.2 metres in height at the entrance to the chamber.

The lower entrance is now sealed off - which is no bad thing. Access to the chamber would have been quite a squeeze to anyone with a heavier build.

The entrance passage faces south east, is approximately six metres long and increases in height and width as it enters the mound.

The interior of the lower chamber, showing the stone 'benches'

The passage entrance measures a mere 40cm wide and 60cm high at the entrance, increasing to 60cm wide and 1.2 metres in height at the chamber exit.

The chamber itself is 1.5 metres high, the roof formed by the stone lintels that also make up the floor of the upper chamber. A lintels has been removed from the roof to allow modern access to the lower chamber is via a ladder from the upper chamber.

The rectangular chamber measures 3.7 metres by 1.4 metres and is divided into four compartments - one at each end and two directly opposite the entrance.

These were shelved with stone slabs to form "benches" which were found to house skeletal remains, including a crouched burial. Three piles of cremated remains were also found within the chamber.

The outer chamber - communicating with the dead?