Skara Brae, Scotland 5 years ago Skara Brae at Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall, Scotland Highlights of Scotland | Skara Brae An Antipodean travel company serving world travellers since 1983 with escorted small group tours for senior couples and mature solo explorers. Learn about the Orkney, Shetland and Hebrides or Scotland’s history on his collection of articles. January 2020 3 mins read Archaeology, Blog, British Isles, Highlights, Scotland Discovering Skara Brae Skara Brae is one of the most visited monuments of Orkney and Shetland, also known as the Northern Isles of Scotland. The Neolithic village of Skara Brae was discovered in the winter of 1850. Wild storms ripped the grass and earth from a high dune then known as “Skerrabra” beside the Bay of Skaill, and exposed the ruins of ancient stone buildings. The discovery proved to be the best-preserved Neolithic sites in northern Europe. The local laird, William Watt of Skaill embarked on an excavation of the site but the work was abandoned in 1868, after unearthing the remains of four ancient houses. The settlement remained mostly undisturbed until 1925, when another storm damaged some of the previously excavated structures. Then it was decided that the archaeological site is to be secured by the seawall and properly investigated. The job was given to Australian archaeologist and philologist Professor V. Gordon Childe, who worked on the site from 1927 – 1930 while he was employed as the Abercromby Professor of Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh. Initially it was thought that Skara Brae was an Iron Age settlement from around 500BC, but Radiocarbon dating in the early 1970s confirmed that the settlement was inhabited for around 600 years, from roughly 3180 BC to about 2500 BC. What did the archaeologists find at Skara Brae? The archaeological findings in Skara Brae were eight dwellings, linked together by a series of low, covered passages. Given the number of structures excavated, scientists believe no more than fifty people lived in Skara Brae at any given time. A replica house allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the buildings and the Neolithic lifestyle. The inhabitants of Skara Brae were Grooved Ware People who are named after a distinctive style of pottery found in northern Scotland. The houses built by them were sunk into the ground to provide protection from the harsh weather. Each house consists of a large square room measuring around 40 m2, with a stone hearth for heating and cooking. Archaeologists also found pieces of furniture and equipment, such as cupboards, beds and dressers, seats, and stone boxes for storage in each of the houses except for one. The eighth house has been divided into small cubicles, and the fragments of stone, bone and antler excavated from there suggests that the house have been used to make tools such as bone needles or flint axes. A house at Skara Brae Thus, it is not surprising that several artifacts were found in the area. The most famous ones are carved stone balls, similar to the ones found across Northern Scotland and the Boyne Valley in Ireland. Another common tool found all across Orkney and Shetland are the so called Skaill knives. Other notable items include needles, beads, small bowls and ivory pins made of animal bones and teeth. At this point it still remains unclear why the inhabitants abandoned Skara Brae. It seems most likely that due to climate change, the weather became much colder and wetter, creating unfavourable living conditions over time. However, according to a popular theory a major storm made them flee in haste, leaving many of their possessions behind. Archaeologists are certain that supporting structures were lost to coastal erosion before it was decided to protect the area with a seawall. Most likely Skara Brae used to be farther from the sea coast and it is likely that the village was built next to a fresh water lagoon protected by dunes. Archaeologists are aware of nearby adjacent remains still covered by fields, and other ancient monuments of uncertain date are eroding out of the cliff edge a bit south of the settlement. Skara Brae was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 along withother Neolithic sites such as Maeshowe, the stone circles of Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, and other nearby sites, forming “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney”. If you’re interested learning more about Skara Brae and the Neolithic history of Scotland, check out our articles on the topic or join one of Odyssey Traveller’s tours visiting the site! Related Tours From $15,322 CAD Seven Ages of Britain, snapshots of Britain through the ages. This guided small group tour starts in Scotland and finishes in England. On Orkney we have a day tour to the UNESCO World heritage site, Skara Brae, before travelling to city of York. Your tour leader continues to share the history from the Neolithic to the Victorian era. The tour concludes in the capital city, London. 22 daysEngland, Scotland Level 2 - Moderate Guaranteed From $15,190 CAD Prehistoric Britain small group history tour including standing stones This guided tour invites you to explore UNESCO World heritage sites at Skara Brae in the Orkneys, Isle of Skye, and Stonehenge in a prehistoric tour. This escorted tour has trips to key sites in Scotland, and the Irish sea in Wales such as Gower Peninsula and National Museum in Cardiff and England. Each day tour is supported by local guides. 21 daysEngland, Scotland Level 2 - Moderate From $15,231 CAD Scotland small group tour | Tracing 5,000 years of history This guided tour of Scotland with a tour leader and local guides includes the isle of Skye, Orkney islands, the Scottish highlands with breathtaking scenery. Edinburgh including the royal mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Fort William, Urquhart castle, Stirling castle, loch lomond, Hadrians wall and New Lanark also a UNESCO World heritage site. 22 daysScotland Level 2 - Moderate Guaranteed From $15,893 CAD Scottish Islands and Shetland small group tours for seniors Experience an escorted small-group tour of the Scottish Isles, designed for both couples and solo travellers, including the enchanting Isle of Skye. Led by local guides who bring deep knowledge of this unique region, you’ll explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, take in breathtaking scenery, and enjoy authentic experiences. This guided journey through remote Scotland offers the chance to connect with like-minded travelers while discovering the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Scottish Isles. 20 daysScotland Level 2 - Moderate Related Articles Visiting Britain’s World Heritage Sites There are more than 30 spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom. They comprise some of the most spectacular and memorable cultural sites in Europe, and attract many tourists every year. Neolithic Burial Chambers: Telescopes to the Stars Neolithic Burial Chambers and the stars The calendar you have in your smartphone was once written in the stars. During the Neolithic or final period of the Stone Age, skies […] The History of the Settlement of Iceland Marooned at the top of the globe, somewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean, lies the island nation of Iceland, a land of vivid contrasts where nature reigns supreme in her most dramatic form. Iceland is… Islands of the Outer Hebrides: The Definitive Guide for Travellers Islands of the Outer Hebrides An article that shares some the culture, people and history of the key islands on the Western side of Scotland. The Outer Hebrides The name Hebrides is derived from the… Orkney Islands, Scotland The Orkney Islands, also referred to as Orkney, are an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. Comprised of around 70 islands (20 of which are inhabited), the Orkney Islands have a mystical charm… Questions about the Outer Hebrides, Scotland for senior travellers. Questions about the Outer Hebrides for senior travellers. Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers interested in learning as they travel whether as a couple or solo traveller. Providing adventure…
Visiting Britain’s World Heritage Sites There are more than 30 spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom. They comprise some of the most spectacular and memorable cultural sites in Europe, and attract many tourists every year.
Neolithic Burial Chambers: Telescopes to the Stars Neolithic Burial Chambers and the stars The calendar you have in your smartphone was once written in the stars. During the Neolithic or final period of the Stone Age, skies […]
The History of the Settlement of Iceland Marooned at the top of the globe, somewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean, lies the island nation of Iceland, a land of vivid contrasts where nature reigns supreme in her most dramatic form. Iceland is…
Islands of the Outer Hebrides: The Definitive Guide for Travellers Islands of the Outer Hebrides An article that shares some the culture, people and history of the key islands on the Western side of Scotland. The Outer Hebrides The name Hebrides is derived from the…
Orkney Islands, Scotland The Orkney Islands, also referred to as Orkney, are an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. Comprised of around 70 islands (20 of which are inhabited), the Orkney Islands have a mystical charm…
Questions about the Outer Hebrides, Scotland for senior travellers. Questions about the Outer Hebrides for senior travellers. Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers interested in learning as they travel whether as a couple or solo traveller. Providing adventure…