Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
Interior of cairn; detail of runic inscription.
SC 2665815
Description Interior of cairn; detail of runic inscription.
Catalogue Number SC 2665815
Category On-line Digital Images
Copy of O 352
Scope and Content Chambered cairn known as Maes Howe, Orkney Maes Howe is one of the most impressive chambered cairns in Scotland and indeed Europe. It clearly shows the skills of the Neolithic stone masons. The cairn was opened in 1861, but was found to be empty for it had been entered by Norsemen. Maes Howe has one of the largest collections of runes carved on stone. Norsemen created them in the 12th century. The runes illustrated were cut using an axe which was 200 years old. Some other runes mention treasure. The site was entered by James Farrer in 1861, but he only found some fragments of human skull. However, others had been there before him and the site was known as Orkhaugr in the Orkneyinga Saga. The site was reused for a 9th century Viking burial. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
External Reference ORK 36
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/2665815
File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap
Attribution: © Crown Copyright: HES
Licence Type: Internally Generated
You may: copy, display, store and make derivative works [eg documents] solely for licensed personal use at home or solely for licensed educational institution use by staff and students on a secure intranet.
Under these conditions: Display Attribution, No Commercial Use or Sale, No Public Distribution [eg by hand, email, web]
