cairn

A cairn is a man-made pile or mound of stones that serves as a marker, memorial, or burial monument. The word comes from the Scottish Gaelic càrn meaning "heap" or "pile of stones" and related terms appear in other languages. Cairns occur worldwide but are especially common in upland and coastal landscapes of Europe and North America, and in prehistoric contexts.

Cairns range from simple trail markers to more elaborate burial or ceremonial cairns. In archaeology they may enclose burial chambers or cover standing stones and include types such as passage graves and court cairns.

Construction is usually stacking stones, sometimes with a core and capstone.

Modern use varies; many countries protect cairns, and park rules often discourage adding new stones to avoid misleading routes or damaging features.

Notable cairns include prehistoric cairns across the British Isles and stone piles marking summits in mountains worldwide.