Ten fascinating facts about Maeshowe

Rising curiously from a field 10 miles west of Kirkwall is a grassy mound that holds within it one of Orkney’s greatest archaeological treasures.

Interestingly, Maeshowe was abandoned around 2,000 BC just 800 years after its construction. It then laid sealed and forgotten for around 3,000 years until a group of Vikings stumbled upon it and broke inside…

Maeshowe is a chambered Neolithic tomb (or cairn) described by Historic Scotland as ‘a masterpiece of Neolithic design and construction’, and it has fascinated archaeologists, storytellers and visitors since its first excavation in 1861.

If you are currently planning a trip to Orkney, we hope these ten fascinating facts will inspire you to visit and experience Maeshowe for yourself!

1. It is the finest Neolithic tomb in north-west Europe

Maeshowe isn’t like any other chambered cairn in Orkney. It is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of Neolithic architecture in north-west Europe.

The construction of Maeshowe would have been a massive undertaking. It was built nearly 5,000 years ago by a community with no access to modern technology or even metal tools, making this remarkable structure all that more impressive.

2. It is older than the pyramids in Egypt

When most people think of an ancient structure, the pyramids in Egypt are often the first that come to mind. However, did you know that Maeshowe actually predates their construction? This chambered cairn was built around 2,800 BC making it approximately 200 years older than the Great Pyramids of Giza!

3. Maeshowe is the largest chambered cairn in Orkney

At first glance, Maeshowe resembles nothing more than a grassy hillock sitting quietly in a field. Its large mound stretches 25 metres across and rises 7 metres tall – yet the true scale and marvel lies beneath the surface.

To enter Maeshowe, visitors must crouch down and clamber along the 10-metre-long passageway which is built from massive stone slabs. The passage leads into a large, square chamber measuring nearly 5-metres across and almost 4-metres tall. The chamber would have originally reached higher – how high is unknown as the top of the roof was broken into (more on this later!).

Branching off the main chamber are three smaller side cells which were likely to have once been used for burials or storage.

4. Four standing stones were built into its corners

One of Maeshowe’s most mysterious features is its set of four standing stones – one embedded in each corner of the central chamber. This isn’t found in any other chambered tomb in Orkney, so it is a mystery as to their purpose in Maeshowe.

These upright megaliths don’t support the structure and serve no known architectural function, but perhaps their deliberate placement held a deep symbolic or ceremonial meaning to the communities that once used this cairn.

Intriguingly, the fact that the chamber was built up and around the standing stones indicates that they must have been placed first. But it is unclear where they come from – were the stones once part of a former stone circle? Or were they quarried specifically for the construction of the cairn?

5. It took an estimated 100,000 man-hours to build Maeshowe

Archaeologists estimate that around 100,000 man-hours of labour were required to construct Maeshowe. This involved the sourcing, transport and placement of many multi-ton stones, some of which would have been sourced and hauled from a considerable distance!

6. Maeshowe is part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape

Did you know that Maeshowe isn’t just a standalone monument? It forms a part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

This ancient landscape also includes the nearby stone circles at the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, as well as the remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village of Skara Brae. These monuments offer researchers and visitors a fascinating glimpse into how ancient people lived, worshipped and honoured their dead.

7. Maeshowe aligns perfectly with the setting sun during midwinter

One of the most remarkable aspects of Maeshowe is how it was strategically built to align with the setting sun during the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year).

For a couple of weeks on either side of the shortest day, the light from the sunset shines directly down the entrance passage and illuminates the back wall of the main chamber. During this time, the light also aligns with the nearby Barnhouse Stone, a singular 10-foot-tall standing stone situated around 750 metres southwest of Maeshowe.

The exact alignment of the sun with the entrance of Maeshowe as well as the Barnhouse Stone is too impressive to be merely accidental. Again, like with many aspects of Maeshowe, the reasoning behind this precise alignment is unclear. It is speculated that the setting of the Midwinter sun was used to mark the death of the previous year and the beginning of a new one.

(Top tip: those who wish to witness this spectacle in person should book for the 2pm tour of Maeshowe if visiting in midwinter!)

8. Even the name of Maeshowe is shrouded in mystery

To this day, the origins and meaning of the name ‘Maeshowe’ remain a subject of debate.

One suggestion, proposed by Dr Berit Sandnes of Lund University in Sweden, is that ‘Maes’ originates from the old Scandinavian word mað, which means meadow. ‘Howe’ is more common and originates from the Old Norse haug, meaning mound. The translation of ‘meadow mound’ seems to make sense as Maeshowe is surrounded by rolling fields and greenery.

Interestingly, in the Orkneyinga Saga, the Vikings make reference to Maeshowe however not under this name. They called it Orkahaugr which translates to Orkney mound.

9. The Vikings left their mark on Maeshowe

Speaking of the Vikings – in the 1100s, a group of Norsemen broke into the roof of Maeshowe looking to seek shelter inside. Maeshowe was abandoned around 2,000 BC, so at this point in history, the cairn had laid sealed and forgotten about for over 3,000 years.

These Viking intruders didn’t leave without a trace either – they carved their names, messages and even pictures into the stone walls – leaving behind the finest and largest collection of runic inscriptions found outside of Scandinavia.

The graffiti inside is not much different to what you’d find today such as such as ‘Ottarfila carved these runes’. Other inscriptions include love notes and jokes as well as intricate symbols including the famous ‘Maeshowe Dragon’ – which can be seen on the floor in the visitor centre.

10. Access to Maeshowe is by guided tour only

To protect and preserve this site, access to Maeshowe is by guided tour only. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides who greatly enhance the experience with expert insights, stories and historical context.

Tours depart from the nearby visitor centre in Stenness and includes transport to and from the cairn. With a limited capacity, tours often fill up quickly – especially during summer – so pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

To book your tickets to this remarkable site, please visit: Maeshowe: Prices and Opening Times | Historic Environment Scotland

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