Maeshowe
The chambered cairn in 2006 | |
| Alternative name | Maes Howe |
|---|---|
| Location | Stenness, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 58°59′48″N 3°11′18″W / 58.9966°N 3.1882°W |
| Type | Chambered cairn |
| Diameter | 35 meters |
| Height | 7.3 meters |
| History | |
| Material | Stone |
| Founded | c. 2800 BC |
| Periods | Neolithic |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Historic Scotland |
| Public access | Yes |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Designated | 1999 (23rd session) |
| Part of | Heart of Neolithic Orkney |
| Reference no. | 514 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Identifiers | |
| Historic Environment Scotland | SM90209 |
Maeshowe (or Maes Howe; Old Norse: Orkahaugr) 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 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 designated a scheduled monument and part of the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney", a group of sites including Skara Brae designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.