If you missed this morning's fascinating webcast from the Newgrange
neolithic site [said to be older than Stonehenge and the pyramids],
the 2007 archive is still online [see CHEAL posting], PLUS there is a
chance to watch live this years SOLSTICE SUNSET effect at Maeshowe -
A Spectacular Neolithic Chambered Cairn built 5,000 years ago in
Scotland.

Yesterday (Dec. 20th) was the most optimum day for the Solstice
sunset at Maeshowe, but, if clear, today at 3.30 pm GMT will be
pretty good too.

Maeshowe (pronounced "mays-how")is one of the biggest and best
preserved chambered cairns in Orkney, up north of Scotland. It was
build around 3000 BCE and is aligned with the sunset of winter
solstice day.

2007 Winter Solstice Sunset illuminating the chamber:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?
v=uPNII19Qn4Y&feature=PlayList&p=008C3DAE3873B2DC&index=0&playnext=1

Live webcast (and archived webcasts) of setting sun at Maeshowe
illuminating the chamber:
http://www.maeshowe.co.uk
[there are some irritating advert popup windows you will have to
close off]

Photos of the chambers:
http://www.maeshowe.co.uk/maeshoweabout.html

History and other alignments of this monument:
http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/maeshowe/eng/3rdstone.htm

Maeshowe, considered to be one of the finest architectural
achievements of prehistoric Europe. The mound, 35m in diameter and 7m
high, consists mostly of packed stones and clay, with an inner layer
of stones around the chamber itself. This chambered cairn was
constructed with great care, the large dressed slabs being carefully
set together and finished. The chamber is 4.5m square and about the
same in height. A tapered orthostat faces each corner buttress giving
an impression of space and strength. The whole impression is of
majesty and the idea of a "Neolithic cathedral" comes to mind.

The setting sun shines directly down the passage of Maeshowe,
illuminating the back wall and passage in a dramatic fashion for a
few minutes. The sun sets directly over the Barnhouse Stone on the
shortest day [winter solstice]. The discovery of a socket for a
standing stone between the mound and the ditch suggests that what we
see today is only a part of what was originally there, further adding
to the enigma of purpose and use.