UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
United Kingdom

Maeshowe

Neolithic passage grave, Mainland Orkney

Location

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Historical Context

About

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 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.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Modern opening by James Farrer

July 1861

UNESCO World Heritage designation

1999

Tormiston Mill Visitor Centre closed

September 2016

Maeshowe Heart of Neolithic Orkney Visitor Centre opened

April 2017

Construction (approx.)

c. 2800 BC

Contemporary tomb burials (cluster)

c. 3000 BC

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Ditches
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Tombs
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Artistic and Decorative Features

Inscriptions
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Villages
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Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial MoundsPollen Cores
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Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures

Stone Alignments
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Transportation and Communication Structures

PathsTrackwaysRoads
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

United Kingdom

Coordinates

59.00° N, -3.19° E