Detail of Norse Dragon (The Lion) carving in Maes Howe.
SC 335903
Description Detail of Norse Dragon (The Lion) carving in Maes Howe.
Date c. 1929
Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
Catalogue Number SC 335903
Category On-line Digital Images
Copy of O 356
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. This is a view of a carved dragon. This is one of three animals finely carved on the NE buttress in the main chamber. This symbol has also been called a lion. It is Scandinavian in style. 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 is known as Orkhaugr in the Orkneyinga Saga. The site was reused for a 9th century Viking burial. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
External Reference Inv. fig. 383
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/335903
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