Maeshowe

Maeshowe (or Maes Howe; Old Norse: Orkhaugr) is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave situated on Mainland Orkney, Scotland. It was probably built around 2800 BC. In the archaeology of Scotland, it gives its name to the Maeshowe type of chambered cairn, which is limited to Orkney.

Maeshowe
Orkhaugr (Old Norse)
Maeshowe
Shown within Orkney Islands
Alternative nameMaes Howe
LocationStenness, Mainland, Orkney
RegionScotland
Coordinates58°59′48″N 3°11′17″W
TypeChambered cairn
History
PeriodsNeolithic
Site notes
OwnershipHistoric Scotland
Public accessYes
TypeCultural
Criteriai, ii, iii, iv
Designated1999 (23rd session)
Part ofHeart of Neolithic Orkney
Reference no.514
RegionEurope and North America
Identifiers
Historic Environment ScotlandSM90209

Maeshowe is a significant example of Neolithic craftsmanship and is, in the words of the archaeologist Stuart Piggott, "a superlative monument that by its originality of execution is lifted out of its class into a unique position." Maeshowe is a scheduled monument and is part of the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney", a group of sites including Skara Brae, which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

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