Tomb of the Eagles

The Tomb of the Eagles south of the island, in South Ronaldsay, is perhaps the best preserved site on the island. It owes its name to the burial method used by the prehistoric inhabitants of this part of the island. They never buried a corpse that had remaining muscle or viscera. Once deceased, the body was located high along the cliffs, where primarily golden eagles, very characteristics of the area, ate the body flesh until only the skeleton remained, this was subsequently buried (could be described as fleshing or something similar). This among other things, was very hygienic and avoided pests and diseases in the tribe.