Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Cairn · Great Cairn of Midhowe · Rousay Great Cairn
Early–Middle Neolithic (c.3500 BCE)·Orkney-Cromarty Neolithic·🇬🇧 Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Longest chambered cairn in Orkney and one of Scotland's finest Orkney-Cromarty type stalled cairns. Neolithic collective tomb (c.3500 BCE) 23 m long divided into 12 compartments by paired orthostats, with side-cell burial recesses; originally covered by rectangular cairn with horned forecourt. Excavated 1932–33 by Walter Grant after discovery by chance. Housed remains of 25 individuals; artefacts include Unstan ware. Conserved under modern hangar with glass-roof walkway. Part of Rousay's Westness tomb and broch landscape.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why such length — expansion over time or single phase mega-tomb
- 02Absence of Maeshowe-type art compared to contemporary tombs
Theories
- 01Orkney-Cromarty stalled cairns reflect lineage-segment burial
- 02Rousay's dense tomb cluster reflects territorial marking on fertile west slope
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. 3500 BCE
- Period
- Early–Middle Neolithic (c.3500 BCE)
- Culture
- Orkney-Cromarty Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective passage grave for community burial and ritual
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3500 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1034 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
59.1565° N · 3.0992° W · 28 m · 3 mapped features
Stalled Chamber (12 compartments)
chamberLong chamber divided by paired orthostats with side recesses
59.1565° N · 3.0992° WHorned Forcourt
facadeConcave facade at southeast end for ceremonial gatherings
59.1566° N · 3.0991° WSide Cells
cellSubsidiary burial cells off main chamber compartments
59.1565° N · 3.0993° W
Gallery