Nestled in the windswept dunes of the Bay of Skaill on Orkney‘s west coast lies Skara Brae, Northern Europe‘s best-preserved Neolithic village. This fascinating archaeological site provides an unparalleled window into the lives of Orkney‘s prehistoric farmers from nearly 5,000 years ago.
Discovery and Excavation
For thousands of years, the remains of Skara Brae lay hidden under sand dunes until a fierce storm in 1850 stripped away the earth to reveal the outlines of ancient stone buildings. The local laird, William Watt of Skaill, began an amateur excavation of the site in 1868, uncovering four ancient houses.
However, it wasn‘t until 1927 that a systematic excavation was carried out by the University of Edinburgh‘s Professor V. Gordon Childe. Childe‘s work revealed the full extent of the village, including its sophisticated architecture and drainage system. He remarked that the site was "a unique and valuable record of prehistoric domestic life."
Layout and Architecture
Skara Brae consists of the remains of eight clustered houses, linked by covered passageways. The houses are built of flat stone slabs, stacked and fitted tightly together without mortar. Each house has a central square room with a hearth, a dresser, box beds, and storage shelves. Some even have small cells opening off the main room, which may have been used for storage or as workshops.
One of the most remarkable features of Skara Brae is the "fitted" stone furniture, including cupboards, dressers, seats, and box beds. This is extremely rare for the Neolithic period and is not found anywhere else in Britain. The furniture is made of the same Orcadian flagstone used to build the houses themselves.
The village also had a remarkably sophisticated drainage system, with toilets and a network of stone-lined drains running beneath the houses. This level of sanitation was unheard of in Neolithic Britain and is evidence of the advanced nature of the settlement.
Artifacts and Neolithic Life
The excavations at Skara Brae have uncovered thousands of artifacts that provide fascinating insights into Neolithic life on Orkney. Some of the most notable finds include:
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Grooved ware pottery – The distinctive reddish-brown pottery found at Skara Brae is part of a tradition known as "grooved ware" due to the decorative grooves cut into the clay. This style of pottery is found at other Neolithic sites in Orkney and beyond.
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Bone and ivory pins – Numerous pins and beads made of animal bone and walrus ivory were found, probably used as clothing fasteners or for decoration.
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Carved stone balls – Perfectly shaped and intricately carved stone balls have been found at Skara Brae and other Neolithic sites in Scotland. Their purpose is unknown, but theories range from weights for fishing nets to ceremonial objects.
The abundance of cooking pots, fish bones, and other food remains shows that the inhabitants of Skara Brae relied on a mix of farming and hunting, with barley and wheat being important crops. Sheep, cattle, and pigs were reared, while red deer and boar were hunted. Fish and shellfish like limpets and razor clams were also a vital part of the diet.
Orkney‘s Neolithic Landscape
Skara Brae was not an isolated settlement but part of a rich Neolithic landscape that developed on Orkney. Just a mile away lies the Barnhouse Settlement, another Neolithic village that was occupied around the same time as Skara Brae.
Other key Neolithic monuments on Orkney include:
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Maeshowe – A masterpiece of Neolithic engineering, this chambered cairn and passage grave is aligned so that the setting sun shines down the entrance passage during the winter solstice.
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Standing Stones of Stenness – One of the earliest henge monuments in Britain, consisting of a circle of massive standing stones up to 6 meters tall.
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Ring of Brodgar – A magnificent stone circle 104 meters in diameter, originally consisting of 60 stones, of which 36 survive today.
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Ness of Brodgar – Recent excavations have revealed a massive Neolithic complex that may have been a religious and ceremonial center for the entire region.
Together with Skara Brae, these sites make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as one of the most important Neolithic landscapes in the world.
Abandonment and Preservation
Around 2500 BC, Skara Brae was abandoned and gradually covered by sand dunes, which helped to preserve the stone structures in remarkable condition. The exact reason for the abandonment is unknown, but theories include:
- Climate change – A period of colder, wetter weather may have made farming more difficult and led to the site being abandoned.
- Storm damage – A massive storm or flood could have inundated the village with sand and forced the inhabitants to flee.
- Social or economic factors – Changes in trade networks or social structures could have led to the site being abandoned in favor of other locations.
Today, ongoing archaeological research at Skara Brae continues to reveal new insights into Neolithic life. Advanced techniques like radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, and environmental sampling are helping to build a more detailed picture of the site and its inhabitants. As Dr. David Clarke of National Museums Scotland notes:
"Skara Brae is one of the most remarkable Neolithic sites in Europe. It gives us an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors, and every new discovery adds to our understanding of this fascinating period in Scottish history."
Visiting Skara Brae
Skara Brae is open to visitors year-round, with a visitor center that includes exhibits on the site‘s history and artifacts found during excavations. Guided tours of the ancient houses are available, and a replica Neolithic house allows visitors to step inside and imagine life in the village 5,000 years ago.
To get to Skara Brae, head to the Orkney Mainland and follow signs for the B9056 towards Skaill. The site is located 8 miles north of Stromness and 19 miles west of Kirkwall. Admission is £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children, with free entry for Historic Scotland members.
For anyone fascinated by ancient history and archaeology, a visit to Skara Brae is an unforgettable experience. As you walk among the ancient stone houses and marvel at the sophistication of this Neolithic community, you‘ll gain a newfound appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience of our prehistoric ancestors.
