Using 3D images by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Edinburgh University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, forensic artist Amy Thornton successfully recreated the head of the 4,000-year old dog, using the 3D print of the Cuween Hill skull as basis to build the anatomy.
The animal is believed to have been the size of a large collie with features similar to a European grey wolf.
The skull was one of 24 discovered when the chamber at Cuween Hill was excavated in 1901.
It is believed the dogs were placed there more than 500 years after the passage tomb was built.
Steve Farrar, interpretation manager at HES, said the model would help "to better relate to the people who cared for and venerated these animals".
He said: "Just as they are treasured pets today, dogs clearly had an important place in Neolithic Orkney, as they were kept and trained as pets and guards and perhaps used by farmers to help tend sheep.
Even in the ancient times, I could say that dogs were already considered “man’s best friend.”
(Image Credit: Historic Environment Scotland)