Maeshowe is a Neolithic burial chamber on the Orkney mainland. The mound has a diameter of 115ft (35m) at the base and is over 24ft (7m) high. It was constructed before 2700BC and is made from stone slabs, some of which weigh up to 30 tonnes. It is probably one of the most remarkable prehistoric monuments in Europe, equal in importance to Stonehenge and the Stones at Callanish.
The purpose of the tomb is unclear. Only a few fragments of bone were discovered when the mound was excavated. The alignment of the tomb may have served as some form of calendar. At sunset on midwinter's day the light shines straight down the entrance passage and onto a small area on the rear wall. Living so far north would mean it was extremely important to know when the days were going to start getting longer again.
Maeshowe fell into disuse but was reopened in the 12th century by Vikings. The evidence of their visit can be seen in the runic graffiti carved on the walls. The carvings include 'Ottarfila carved these runes' and 'Haermund Hardaxe carved these runes'. The graffiti also suggests that there had been treasure in the mound but that the Vikings had carried it away. The Vikings' visit led to roof collapse and the mound was not reopened until the 19th century.
Click to enlarge the image, read the text then answer the following questions.
Questions
- How many years has Maeshowe been standing (think carefully)?
- What is quite surprising about the building itself?
- It says it was a Neolithic burial chamber. What suggests that it may not have been a burial chamber?
- How did the calendar work? (bit big to hang on the wall!)
- How do we know the Vikings visited it?