Press release 1999

Winter solstice sunset at Maeshowe 
(Orkney, Scotland, UK)

As a continuation of the successful project last years; winter solstice sunset as seen from Maeshowe - a 5,000 year old chambered cairn on Orkney - will be broadcasted over the Internet between 14:30 and 15:45 GMT from December 11th, 1999 until January 31st, 2000.  This chambered cairn is the most spectacular of many in Orkney, situated in Stenness on the Orkney Mainland.

The precise reasons for the alignments at Maeshowe may never be unveiled, and will remain one of the many mysteries open for speculation. But it can be assumed that such a connection with the winter solstice sunset was done on purpose. So the Neolithic people that lived in the neighborhood of this megalithic mound, must have been aware of other things between Heaven and Earth than simple survival: eating, drinking and raising the next generation. Like monuments at Newgrange (Ireland), Stonehenge (England), Carnac (France), Hunebedden (Netherlands) and the Great Pyramids (Egypt), this megalithic mound was also constructed for a special purpose. Many ideas float around, like:

This monument is part of a mystical atmosphere, that attracts people!

To get a better feeling of what the reasons are behind such a sophisticated building, Victor Reijs (a Dutch archaeoastronomer) is studying the alignment(s?) of the passage and chamber in more detail. After a few visits and talks with people, the idea emerged to install a camera inside the chamber, so that the behavior of the sun can be recorded and analyzed in a more scientific way. That is why last years this unique information has been transported by means of The Internet and seen by over 20.000 people around the globe!
This year, the light of a winter solstice sunset will again be broadcasted in real time over the Internet from the oldest building connected to the worldwide ISDN and IP network by using three camera's! These broadcasts are scheduled from December 11th, 1999 until January 31st, 2000, everyday between 14:30 and 15:45 GMT. The schedule can be seen at: http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/maeshowe/.

With the help of Historic Scotland (a government agency that cares for and protects Maeshowe on behalf of Scottish Ministers) and Charles Tait (photographer and publisher based in Orkney), the idea of broadcasting has been materialized by Victor Reijs in 1997. Besides much equipment from the three mentioned initiators, this project is also sponsored generously by the following organizations: SURFnet bv (ISDN card and broadcasting services), Orkney Tourist Board and Orkney Enterprise (video camera's) and  HEAnet Ltd (PC).

More information on this unique project can be had from:
General URL
Maeshowe page: http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/maeshowe/

Victor Reijs (project leader)
E: remove underscore
W: http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/maeshowe/
T: + 353 1 8492557
F: + 353 1 8105121

Charles Tait
E: charles.tait@zetnet.co.uk
W: http://www.velvia.demon.co.uk/
T: + 44 1856 873738
F: + 44 1856 875313


Last major content related changes: December 8th, 1999 (version 0.4)