Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney
Late Neolithic·Orcadian Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney
Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney at Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic megalithic of the Orcadian Neolithic tradition, built c. 2800 BCE for chambered cairn with viking runes. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersMaes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney at Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic megalithic of the Orcadian Neolithic tradition, built c. 2800 BCE for c
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Orcadian Neolithic
- Purpose
- Chambered cairn with Viking runes
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney
On the ground
Structures & features
58.9986° N · 3.1883° W · 414 m · 3 mapped features
- Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney Main Megalithic FeaturemegalithicPrimary megalithic feature at Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney – central chambered cairn with viking runes element with stratified deposits58.9986° N · 3.1883° W
- Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney defining settlement or ritual space58.9985° N · 3.1882° W
- Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Orkney ceremonial landscape58.9987° N · 3.1884° W
Gallery