United Kingdom

Funzie Girt

Ancient boundary dyke in Fetlar, Shetland, Scotland

Location

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Historical Context

About

Funzie Girt (; Scots: Funyie Girt "Finns' dyke") is an ancient dividing wall that was erected from north to south across the island of Fetlar in Shetland, Scotland. Some sources describe it as having been built in the Neolithic, but the date of construction is not certainly known. The line of the wall, which ran for over 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), once divided the island in two almost equal sections. Also known as the Finnigirt Dyke, it has vanished in places at the southern end, although the ruins are clearly visible along much of the uninhabited north of the island, where it is a conspicuous feature of the landscape. The dyke's original purpose is not known, nor is its relationship to other archaeological sites of a similar age nearby. There are various folk tales about its construction, and it is the subject of various pieces of Shetland folk music.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Last riding of the bounds (claimed)

1820

Fetlar survey

1850

Scheduling as monument

December 1957

Whilsa Pund protection

1998

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Defensive Walls
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Animal Husbandry Features

Livestock Enclosures
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Burial and Funerary Structures

Tombs
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

VillagesCourtyards
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Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves
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Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures

Stone Alignments
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Reference

Details

Country

United Kingdom

Coordinates

60.62° N, -0.87° E