Skara Brae, Europe's Most Complete Neolithic Village. The History & Excavation. Orkney, Scotland.

Summary

Explore Skara Brae, a remarkably preserved Neolithic village in Scotland predating the Egyptian pyramids. This 'Scottish Pompeii' offers insights into prehistoric life with its stone structures and furniture. Discovered by a storm in 1850, the site's eight houses reveal ancient living conditions. Theories suggest a major storm led to its abandonment around 2500 BCE. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site to experience a unique glimpse into our ancestors' lives.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Skara Brae is an exceptionally well-preserved Neolithic village in Scotland, predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge.
• 🏠 The village structures, including furniture, are remarkably intact, offering a rare glimpse into prehistoric living conditions.
• 📍 Located on the Bay of Skaill in the Orkney Islands, Skara Brae is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney'.
• 🏡 The village was inhabited for about 600 years, from approximately 3200 BCE to 2500 BCE, with two distinct phases of occupation.
• 🛠 Due to a scarcity of wood, the villagers constructed their homes using stone, which contributed to the preservation of the site.
• 🏘️ The houses were designed with a central hearth, stone-built furniture, and a unique drainage system that functioned as indoor toilets.
• 🌪️ The site was abandoned around 2500 BCE, possibly due to a major storm or disaster, leading to its preservation under windblown sand.
• ⚓️ The discovery of Skara Brae in 1850 was accidental, following a severe storm that exposed the village remains.
• 🔍 Archaeological excavations revealed the village's age and lifestyle, with radiocarbon dating confirming its Neolithic origins.
• 🎨 The village's layout and architecture suggest a functional and possibly symbolic design, with interconnected passages and a unique structure known as 'house 7'.
• 🌐 Skara Brae, along with other Neolithic Orkney sites, is considered highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and storms.

Q & A

What is Skara Brae known as and why?

Skara Brae is known as the Scottish Pompeii due to the excellent preservation of the village, which is comparable to the preservation of Pompeii after it was covered by ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Where is Skara Brae located?

Skara Brae is located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, which is the largest of the Orkney Islands in Scotland.

How long was Skara Brae inhabited for?

Skara Brae was inhabited for approximately 600 years, somewhere between 3200 BCE and 2500 BCE.

What was the main building material used in Skara Brae due to the shortage of wood?

The main building material used in Skara Brae was stone, due to a shortage of wood in Orkney.

What are the other three sites that make up 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney' along with Skara Brae?

The other three sites that make up 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney' are Maes Howe, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar.

What significant discovery was made about the drains underneath Skara Brae during excavations?

The drains underneath Skara Brae were identified as indoor toilets, a significant discovery about the village's advanced sanitation system.

Why was the site of Skara Brae re-examined in 1925 and what measures were taken to preserve it?

The site of Skara Brae was re-examined in 1925 after another storm swept away part of one of the houses. To preserve the site, a large sea wall was constructed in the summers of 1925 and 1926.

What was the error made by Professor Vere Gordon Childe during his initial investigation of Skara Brae?

Professor Vere Gordon Childe initially believed Skara Brae to be a Pictish village from the Iron Age, which was later proven incorrect through radiocarbon dating.

What type of pottery were the inhabitants of Skara Brae known to make and use?

The inhabitants of Skara Brae were makers and users of Grooved Ware Pottery, which originates from Orkney around the 3rd millennium BCE.

What is the current vulnerability of Skara Brae and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site according to a 2019 risk assessment?

According to a 2019 risk assessment, the entire Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, including Skara Brae, is extremely vulnerable to climate change due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and the increase of average temperatures.

What can visitors expect to see at the Skara Brae site today?

Visitors to Skara Brae can expect to see a full-scale replica of house 7, which is the best preserved house, complete with a fake wood and skin roof, as well as a short video and a small introductory exhibition with replica finds.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Skara Brae: The Scottish Pompeii

Skara Brae, located on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney Islands, is a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village that predates the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge. The village, inhabited between 3200 BCE and 2500 BCE, showcases the ingenuity of its inhabitants who used stone as the primary building material due to a shortage of wood. The structures, including the unique stone furniture such as beds, dressers, and hearths, have been preserved due to the village being covered by sand for millennia. The site was discovered in 1850 after a storm and has since been a subject of archaeological interest. It is part of the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with Maes Howe, Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar.

05:02

🏺 Preservation and Discovery of Skara Brae

The preservation of Skara Brae is attributed to its construction solely from stone, which allowed it to withstand the test of time. The village was covered by sand for over 4000 years, protecting it from the elements. Its discovery in 1850 was accidental, following a severe storm that exposed the outlines of the houses. Initial excavations were amateurish and halted in 1868. Further plundering occurred in 1913, leading to a more professional excavation by Professor Vere Gordon Childe in 1925. Despite initial misinterpretations, radiocarbon dating in the 1970s confirmed the Neolithic origins of Skara Brae. The inhabitants crafted Grooved Ware Pottery, and their homes were built into middens for insulation against the harsh climate.

10:08

🛏️ The Unique Structures of Skara Brae

The houses of Skara Brae's second phase, dating back to around 2900 BCE, were larger and more rectangular with rounded internal corners. Each house contained a stone hearth, cupboards, dressers, seats, and storage boxes. House 8, now considered a marketplace, was distinct for its egg shape, thick walls, and absence of beds. House 7, the best-preserved structure, was detached and accessed through a unique side passage. It was suggested that House 7 might have been used for rituals or to exclude individuals from the community, as indicated by the bodies found in a stone grave beneath one of the beds. The village's layout was functional, with passages allowing travel between houses without exposure to the elements.

15:12

🌍 Climate Change Threat and Visitor Experience

Skara Brae and the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' are considered extremely vulnerable to climate change, with risks including rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and higher average temperatures. There's a possibility of partial destruction from severe storms, which could become more frequent and intense. Visitors to the site are required to purchase tickets from the visitor center, which includes a restaurant and an introductory exhibition. A full-scale replica of House 7 provides a glimpse into the ancient lifestyle, complete with a thatched roof and replicated furnishings. The video encourages respect for these ancient monuments and promotes further exploration of Skara Brae's history and significance.

Keywords

💡Skara Brae

Skara Brae is a Neolithic village located in Orkney, Scotland, which dates back to around 3200 BCE. It is considered one of the most complete Neolithic villages in Europe and is often referred to as the 'Scottish Pompeii' due to its excellent preservation. The village was inhabited for approximately 600 years and provides a unique insight into the lives of prehistoric people. In the script, Skara Brae is the central theme, with detailed descriptions of its history, architecture, and significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

💡Neolithic

The Neolithic period, often referred to as the New Stone Age, is a period in the development of human technology beginning around 10,200 BC in some parts of the world, and lasting until the Copper Age began. It is defined by the use of stone tools, the development of agriculture, and the establishment of the first permanent human settlements. In the context of the video, Skara Brae is a prime example of a Neolithic settlement, showcasing the lifestyle and architectural advancements of the time.

💡Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are an archipelago in the northern isles of Scotland, consisting of about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, Mainland, is where Skara Brae is located. The islands have been inhabited for at least 8500 years, originally by Mesolithic tribes, followed by Neolithic settlers, and then the Picts. The script highlights the importance of the Orkney Islands as a region rich in archaeological and historical significance, with Skara Brae being one of its most notable sites.

💡Pompeii

Pompeii was an ancient Roman city that was buried under volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The term 'Scottish Pompeii' is used in the script to draw a comparison between the excellent preservation of Skara Brae and Pompeii. Both sites have been remarkably well-preserved, allowing modern archaeologists to gain insights into the daily lives of their inhabitants.

💡UNESCO World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landmark or area that is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific, or other form of significance. Skara Brae, along with three other sites, forms 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney,' which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The script emphasizes the global recognition and importance of Skara Brae's cultural heritage.

💡Radiocarbon dating

Radiocarbon dating is a method used by scientists to determine the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the levels of carbon-14 it contains. This technique is crucial in archaeology for dating artifacts and structures. The script mentions that radiocarbon dating was used to determine that Skara Brae was inhabited around 3200 BCE, providing a more accurate timeline for the village's history.

💡Midden

A midden is a deposit of domestic waste, often found in archaeological sites. In the context of Skara Brae, the houses were constructed into mounds known as middens, which served as old dumps for domestic waste. This practice of building homes partially underground provided stability and insulation against the harsh Orkney climate, as described in the script.

💡Grooved Ware Pottery

Grooved Ware Pottery is a type of pottery that originates from Orkney around the 3rd millennium BCE and is characterized by its distinctive grooved decorations. The inhabitants of Skara Brae were makers and users of Grooved Ware Pottery, which is mentioned in the script as an important aspect of their material culture and a marker of their identity.

💡Carved stone balls

Carved stone balls are small spherical objects made of stone that have been found at various archaeological sites in Scotland, including Skara Brae. Some of these balls feature intricate carvings, such as spiral patterns. The script mentions that these carved stone balls have been found at Skara Brae, suggesting they may have had ceremonial or functional uses in the Neolithic society.

💡Climate change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. In the script, it is mentioned that Skara Brae and the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increased rainfall. This highlights the current threats to the preservation of this ancient site and the importance of conservation efforts.

Highlights

Skara Brae was inhabited before the Egyptian Pyramids and flourished before Stonehenge's construction.

Remarkable preservation of the village structures and furniture.

Skara Brae provides rich evidence of prehistoric living in Northern Europe.

Skara Brae is known as the Scottish Pompeii due to its excellent preservation.

Located on the Bay of Skaill in the Orkney Islands, Scotland.

Part of 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney' UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Inhabited for about 600 years between 3200 BCE and 2500 BCE.

Landscape altered significantly due to land erosion.

People of Skara Brae used stone as the primary building material due to wood scarcity.

Two main occupation phases identified through radiocarbon dating.

Houses had central hearths, stone dressers, and beds set into walls.

Village never grew larger than 8 structures, housing 50-100 villagers.

Abandoned around 2500 BCE, possibly due to a major storm or disaster.

Discovered in 1850 after a storm stripped away grass from the mound.

Archaeological investigations began in 1927, revealing indoor toilets and stone furniture.

Skara Brae's age was confirmed to be Neolithic through radiocarbon dating in the 1970s.

Inhabitants made and used Grooved Ware Pottery, originating from Orkney.

Houses were constructed into mounds for stability and insulation.

House 8, now referred to as the marketplace, had a different structure and purpose.

House 7 may have been used for rituals or to exclude individuals from the community.

Skara Brae's layout was functional, with passages linking houses for travel without going outside.

Carved stone balls found, with spiral carvings linked to objects in Ireland.

Artifacts made from various materials, including bone, ivory, and whale teeth.

Skara Brae is vulnerable to climate change, with risks of damage from severe storms.

Visitors can experience a full-scale replica of house 7 at the site.

Transcripts

Skara Brae was inhabited before the Egyptian Pyramids were built and had flourished for

centuries before construction began at Stonehenge.

The structures of this village survive in impressive conditions, even the furniture

of the houses has been preserved remarkably well.

There’s no other place in Northern Europe where we are able to see such rich evidence

of how our prehistoric ancestors actually lived.

My name is Kayleigh and today we will investigate Skara Brae The Scottish Pompeii.

I know I promised you guys a video about Dutch dolmens, but I have to postpone that due to

the fact that the Dutch weather at the moment is very rainy and cold.

Next week we will travel to the Dolmens and I promise you that the video will be uploaded

shortly thereafter.

But, to make it up to you I decided that this week had to be somewhat special.

So today I will tell you everything there is to know about Europe’s most complete

Neolithic village called Skara Brae.

Skara Brae is located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, the largest

of the Orkney Islands in Scotland.

Orkney is an archipelago in the northern isles of Scotland and has about 70 islands, of which

20 are inhabited.

The largest island Mainland is often referred to as “The Mainland” and it’s the 6th

largest Scottish island.

The Orkney islands have been inhabited for at least 8500 years.

Originally inhabited by the Mesolithic tribes, neolithic settlers and then by the Picts.

Skara Brae is one of Four sites making up “The heart of Neolithic Orkney” and are

listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The other 3 are: Maes Howe

Standing Stones of Stenness And the Ring of Brodgar.

Skara Brae was inhabited for approximately 600 years, somewhere between 3200 BCE and

2500 BCE.

Back then the village would have been further inland, not as close to the shore as it is

today.

Steady erosion of the land over the centuries has altered the landscape considerably.

In Orkney there was a shortage of wood, so the people of Skara Brae had to work with

the only building material available to them, which was stone.

Radiocarbon dating showed that there were 2 main occupation phases.

Phase 1 started around 3200 BCE.

There are remnants of 2 houses from this earlier phase.

The earliest houses were circular, made up of one main room containing a central hearth,

with beds set into the walls at either side.

Opposite of the main entrance was a shelved stone dresser, a piece of stone age furniture

that has come to represent Skara Brae.

The remains of these older structures remain on the site, visible as rough stone outlines,

as seen here.

The second phase of occupation started around 2900 BCE.

There are 8 houses from the second phase.

The later houses followed the same basic design, but on a larger scale.

The house shape changed slightly, becoming more rectangular with rounded internal corners.

The beds were no longer built into the wall but protruded into the main living area.

Each house was accessed through a low doorway, which had a stone slab door that could be

closed and secured by a bar that fitted into holes in the door jambs.

Although it was in use for about 7 generations from current excavation evidence, it appears

that Skara Brae never grew larger than 8 structures.

Housing no more than between 50 and 100 villagers at the same time.

At 2500 BCE the site had been abandoned and windblown sand then covered the area.

There are many theories as to why the people of Skara Brae left, most popular interpretations

involve a major storm or disaster.

This is due to the fact that it has been so well preserved that it often gets compared

to Pompeii.

Pompeii had been abandoned and completely covered by ash following the eruption of Mount

Vesuvius in 79 AD.

It has been referred to as the Scottish Pompeii, but there is no clear indication a major disaster

took place.

The only comparison between Skara Brae and Pompeii is the excellent preservation of both.

The builders had only one building material, stone.

This is the reason why the village has been so well preserved.

They made cupboards, dressers, beds and shelves to name a few.

Skara Brae had been covered by sand for over 4000 years, thus protecting and preserving

the buildings and their contents incredibly well.

In the winter of 1850 a severe storm hit Scotland, causing widespread damage and the loss of

over 200 lives.

In the bay of Skaill the storm with an exceptionally high tide stripped the grass from a large

mound then known as Skerrabra.

When the storm cleared some local villagers found the outline of a village consisting

of a number of small houses without roofs.

The local Laird, William Watt of Skaill began an amateur excavation at the site, but after

4 houses were uncovered the work was abandoned in 1868.

The site then remained undisturbed until 1913, when in a single weekend the site was plundered

by people who took away an unknown quantity of artefacts.

Another storm swept away part of one of the houses in 1925 and it was determined that

the site should be secured and properly investigated.

Professor and archaeologist Vere Gordon Childe was called upon to professionally excavate

and preserve the site.

In the summers of 1925 and 1926 they constructed a large sea wall to preserve the site and

protect it from the ocean.

The archaeological investigation then began in 1927, But Childe made an error in his investigative

work, believing Skara Brae to be a Pictish village from the Iron Age.

He loathed undertaking archaeological excavations and radiocarbon dating didn’t exist back

then.

A series of drains ran underneath the village, these all emanated from the small cell found

in every house.

The drains join together to create a large drain.

During excavations these drains were identified as indoor toilets.

It was almost impossible for Childe to date the village, the age of the grooved ware pottery

that had been found at the site hadn’t been established yet.

Carved stone balls had been found in areas where there were also Pictish symbols, so

it was assumed that the mysterious balls were Pictish.

Even though this was the perceived thinking of the time, Professor Childe always thought

that Skara Brae was Neolithic.

Many years after his Death would he be proven right.

In 1972 and 1973 another archaeological excavation took place, this time they were able to use

radiocarbon dating to determine the age of Skara Brae.

Radiocarbon results indicate that occupation of Skara Brae began around 3180 BCE.

After the climate changed, becoming much colder and wetter around 2500 BCE the settlement

had been abandoned.

Unfortunately – after almost 50 years – the results of this latest excavation has never

been published.

And after all this time, we still don’t know what the findings were besides the given

radiocarbon dates.

The inhabitants of Skara Brae were makers and users of Grooved Ware Pottery.

Grooved Ware originates from Orkney around the 3rd millennium BCE.

The houses were constructed into mounds known as middens.

A midden is an old dump for domestic waste, which may consist of animal bone, human excrement,

botanical material, shells, sherds etcetera.

Constructing them partially underground made the homes earth shelters.

This provided the houses with stability and acted as insulation against Orkney’s harsh

winter climate.

Each house of phase 2 measured to about 40 square meters with a large square room containing

a stone hearth used for heating and cooking.

They contain a number of stone built pieces of furniture as well.

Including cupboards, dressers, seats and storage boxes.

Seven of the 8 houses have similar furniture, with the beds and dresser in the same place

at each house.

Each house had the larger bed on the right side of the doorway and the smaller bed on

the left.

Separated from the houses is the building known as house 8, but now referred to as the

market place.

This building stood apart from the midden-encased houses.

It is constructed above ground with walls over 2 meters thick.

The structure is egg shaped with a porch at the entrance.

It has no beds and it was extensively decorated with carved patterns on the walls and had

alcoves.

This building most likely had a number of different roles, perhaps a workshop or a communal

meeting house, deliberately separated from the rest of the houses.

House 7 is most likely one of the first structures on the site, being remodelled over the years.

It’s the best preserved structure on the site.

It has some clear differences to the other houses, perhaps the most obvious is the fact

that it’s completely detached from its neighbours.

Access to the structure was gained through a dedicated side passage, a passage that served

house 7 only.

Another difference is the fact that house 7 is standing on natural sand, while the other

houses were built on top of the remains of previous structures.

The idea that house 7 was not a mere dwelling is strengthened by the fact that the door

could only be bolted from the outside.

This means that whoever went into house 7 had no physical control over when they got

out.

Because it was specifically designed to be sealed off from the outside, it has been suggested

that house 7 was used to exclude people from the rest of the community.

Excavations inside revealed the bodies of 2 women in a stone built grave under the right

hand bed.

The inhumations in a stone cist decorated with carvings were made prior to the structure

being built.

This has led to the suggestion that the bodies were involved in some kind of foundation ritual,

perhaps hinting that the structure had a specials significance.

There are multiple theories surrounding the purpose of house 7;

Was it used in rituals surrounding death?

Was it a birth house, separating the theoretical rituals surrounding childbirth from everyday

life?

Was is a structure used for initiation rituals like marriage or coming of age?

Or was it simply a temporary jail?

There is no clear indication, so your guess is as good as mine haha.

The layout of Skara Brae was undoubtedly functional, elements of the village’s architecture may

have been symbolically significant.

The passages linked the houses of Skara Brae in a way that it was possible to travel from

one house to another without having to step outside.

And in the midst of an Orkney winter, that is not a bad thing.

The passages were just over 1 meter high, roofed with stone slabs and then covered with

earth.

The low height of the passages helped minimise drafts.

One main passage led into the village, at either side of the entrance was a hole for

a bar, indicating that the entrance could be sealed off.

Bar holes were found along the length of the passages, of which only 2 remain and are visible

today.

A number of impressive carved stone balls have been found at Skara Brae, the spiral

carvings on some of these balls has been linked to objects found in the Boyne Valley in Ireland.

Many artefacts were found in Chamber 2, which is slightly higher than chamber 1.

The found artefacts were mostly of bone.

About 3000 bone beads of all different sizes were recovered, along with a few teeth and

bone needles all scattered over the surface of the floor.

At an inner threshold of a narrow doorway they found a group of beads and ornament clustered

together.

They had been strung together and form a necklace.

Other artefacts found during archaeological research were made of animal bones, from fish,

bird and whale bone.

Whale and walrus ivory and killer whale teeth included awls, needles, knives, beads, cutting

tools, shovels, axes, small bowls, and ivory pins up to 25 centimetres long.

Many of the Skara Brae artefacts can be seen in the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall as well as

at the National Museum of Scotland.

In 2019 a risk assessment was performed to assess the site’s vulnerability to climate

change.

The report concluded that the entire Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and

in particular Skara Brae is extremely vulnerable to climate change,

due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall and the increase of average temperatures.

It also highlighted the risk that Skara Brae could be partially destroyed by one unusually

severe storm.

And the storms could not only increase in their intensity but also in their frequency,

making the slight chances of such a severe storm much greater over time.

To visit the site you must buy a ticket from the visitor centre, which houses an excellent

restaurant.

After watching a short video, you pass through a small introductory exhibition, with a few

replica finds.

You then proceed to a full-scale replica of house 7 (which is the best preserved house),

complete with a fake wood and skin roof.

The reconstructed house gives you the sense of how the people lived in the village back

in ancient times.

The fire burns, the beds are covered in animal skins and trinkets are placed in the dresser.

The passage and the doorway are higher than the passages and doorways on the original

village.

If you travel to Scotland and you are able to go to the Orkney islands, please make sure

to visit Skara Brae and be mesmerized by the way the Ancient inhabitants lived.

If you do visit these ancient sites, please make sure to be careful and show respect to

the monuments and structures.

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