Liddle Burnt Mound - a Bronze Age kitchen?

Liddle Burnt Mound and Bronze Age building are situated on the island of South Ronaldsay, Orkney, on Liddle Farm. Thich is also the location of Isbister Chambered Cairn, or ‘Tomb of the Eagles’, as it is known (see here). The site was constucted approximately 3,000 years ago and was in use for around 1,000 years.  The oval, double-walled building contains a large trough, a well and a drainage system to channel away the dirty water. There is also a hearth where is is supposed that stones were heated up then rolled across the floor and dropped into the trough to heat up the water.

When excavated, the tank was half-full of broken, burnt stones. The hot stones would often crack on contact with the water, so when the trough and hearth were cleaned out, the broken stones and ash were thrown outside, creating a crescent-shaped ‘burnt mound’. So what was its use?…..Most experts agree that volumes of hot water were being produced here, but why? Artefacts such as, hammerstones, pot lids, pottery and burnt sheep / goat bones suggest the site was used for cooking. Perhaps they were seasonal hunting camps where joints of meat were cooked. Other suggestions include a sauna, sweat lodge, bath house; or maybe a workshop for the preparation of fleece, leather, felt or for brewing ale! What do you think?...Check out the video for more info!