Maeshowe Misnomer

 Maeshowe Misnomer


Maeshowe is quite an amazing structure, and its' fame is promoted by being regarded as a "type" of cairn, where a number of other cairns are known by their structural layout to be of the Maeshowe Type.

In a very simplistic sense I suppose there is a typological similarity. Maeshowe has an internal central room with smaller rooms off from the centre, through three of the four side walls. The fourth wall is that through which the entrance is made.

Cuween is a Maeshowe Type cairn,  in that it has a similar arrangement, a central room surrounded by satellite rooms accessed from the centre.

The difference between the two cairns is that Cuween and other Maeshowe type cairns have satellite rooms tjat are clearly intended to be used on a continuous basis. In Cuween one of the satellite rooms looks very like a bedding space.

On the other hand in Maeshowe itself the quite spectacular central room appears to be the main feature of the structure from which the satellite rooms could be closed off completely, practically hidden from anybody using the main room. ( it has been a while since I was in there, so if my memory has mistaken me please forgive me, and let me know).

This makes the activity that took place within the central room of Maeshowe the reason for its construction.

Of course, the alignment of the entrance passage with sunlight in the dead of winter springs to mind, but I  will leave that discussion to others more qualified in the subject. 

So, to me, calling other cairns "Maeshowe Type", seems to be a bit of a misnomer, but I might just be being fussy here!

Jeffery Nicholls 




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