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.