Mine Howe, Orkney

This is one of many glacial-looking hillocks lying East of the cemetery and 400m South East of
the parish hall at Toab. A good few years before 1979 a school-teacher moved some stone on the
summit and found an opening with steps leading down. The proprietor caused the opening to be
re-sealed.

An underground chamber relating to the mound was rediscovered in 1999. An excavation was
undertaken and the mound, though natural, contained a chamber and was surrounded by a ditch

A cross-section of Minehowe showing the layout of the chambers

the walls
the underground chamber
Other Links

http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/minehowe/

Part of the online journal of the excavation at Minehowe by the Orkney Archaeological Trust
describing the involvement of the Time Team

More details can also be found on the Canmore website

http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=2998

Publications

Card, Downes and Gibson, N, J and J (2000)

'Minehowe, Orkney (St Andrews & Deerness parish), later-prehistoric acvtivity',
Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 1, 2000, Fig 23, 65-6