Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn
Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)·Late Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney, Mainland, United Kingdom
About
About Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn
Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn in Orkney, Mainland, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 6 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 58.9940N -3.1880E controls access to Orkney resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for Orkney, Mainland, illustrating Late Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 3300–2800 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Rediscovered
- 1967 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3300–2800 BCE
Initial construction of Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn main structure
c. 1907
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1967–2012
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
58.9940° N · 3.1880° W · 129 m · 3 mapped features
Maes Howe Peripheral Cairn — Main Structure
structurePrincipal megalithic — Chamber 6 × 2 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
58.9948° N · 3.1871° WMaes Howe Peripheral Cairn — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
58.9930° N · 3.1887° WMaes Howe Peripheral Cairn — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with cup marks and alignment
58.9955° N · 3.1868° W