Nestled on the windswept shores of the Orkney Islands in Scotland lies Skara Brae, a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village that offers a unique window into the lives of the ancient people who inhabited this remote corner of the world. Uncovered by a fierce storm in 1850, Skara Brae has since become one of Scotland’s most treasured archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
| History | Discovery | Layout | Ritual |
In this article, we will explore the history, architecture, and significance of Skara Brae, delving deep into the secrets that this ancient village continues to reveal.
Historical Context
Before we can fully appreciate Skara Brae, it is essential to understand the broader historical context in which it was built. The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, occurred between approximately 4,000 and 2,500 BCE in the British Isles. This period marked a significant shift in human history, as communities transitioned from a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled, agrarian way of life. This shift allowed for the development of more complex societies, with permanent settlements, advanced tools, and innovative farming practices.
Skara Brae was constructed around 3,180 BCE, making it older than both Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Its inhabitants were part of the broader Neolithic culture that had emerged across the British Isles, which shared a common artistic style, religious beliefs, and technological advancements.
Discovery and Excavation
Skara Brae was hidden beneath the sands of the Bay of Skaill for millennia until a powerful storm in 1850 stripped away the grass and sand dunes that had buried the site. Local landowner William Watt discovered the exposed stone buildings and began the initial excavations.
In 1927, another storm damaged the site, prompting the University of Edinburgh’s Professor Vere Gordon Childe to lead a more extensive excavation between 1928 and 1930. Childe’s work revealed the true extent of the village and provided invaluable insights into the lives of its inhabitants. Further excavations and preservation efforts have continued throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, ensuring that Skara Brae remains one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe.
Architecture and Layout
Skara Brae consists of eight interconnected stone houses, built using a dry stone construction method that employed local sandstone. The village’s unique layout features a series of semi-subterranean structures, with walls and foundations dug into the earth to provide insulation against the harsh Orkney climate. The roofs were likely made from turf, wood, or whalebone, providing further protection against the elements.
Each house shares a similar design, consisting of a central, square living space with a hearth for heating and cooking. Surrounding the central space are stone-built furnishings, including beds, dressers, and storage compartments. A narrow, covered passageway connects the houses, allowing the inhabitants to move between them without being exposed to the elements.
Daily Life in Skara Brae
The people of Skara Brae were primarily farmers, raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, and growing crops like barley and wheat. They supplemented their diet with wild plants, fish, and shellfish. The villagers were also skilled artisans, working with stone, bone, and wood to create a variety of tools, utensils, and decorative items.
The presence of pottery, known as Grooved Ware, is a distinctive feature of Skara Brae and other Neolithic sites in Britain. This pottery was decorated with intricate patterns, and its uses included cooking, storage, and possibly ritual purposes. Evidence of woodworking and textile production has also been discovered at the site, highlighting the advanced craftsmanship of Skara Brae’s inhabitants.
Religion and Ritual
While the specific religious beliefs of Skara Brae’s inhabitants remain a mystery, it is clear that they were a spiritually inclined society. The presence of ritual objects, such as carved stone balls and pottery, suggests that the village had a strong ceremonial aspect. Additionally, Skara Brae’s proximity to other important Neolithic sites, such as the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe, points to a shared religious and cultural connection across the Orkney Islands.
The nearby Ness of Brodgar complex, which is still under excavation, has revealed an extensive ceremonial landscape that likely played a significant role in the spiritual lives of Skara Brae’s inhabitants. As our understanding of these interconnected sites grows, so too does our knowledge of the religious practices and beliefs that underpinned the Neolithic society in Orkney.
Abandonment and Climate Change
Around 2,500 BCE, Skara Brae was abandoned, and its precise reason remains uncertain. However, archaeological evidence suggests that climate change may have been a contributing factor. Pollen analysis from the surrounding peat bogs indicates that the climate became colder and wetter, making agriculture more challenging and potentially forcing the inhabitants to seek more hospitable lands.
Other theories suggest that a combination of factors, including resource depletion, social upheaval, or even a catastrophic storm, may have contributed to the village’s abandonment. While the exact cause remains a subject of ongoing research and debate, Skara Brae’s sudden disappearance adds an air of mystery to this enigmatic site.
Skara Brae Today and Its Significance
Today, Skara Brae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key attraction within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and ongoing preservation efforts ensure that this remarkable village remains a living testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Neolithic people.
The ongoing study of Skara Brae has provided archaeologists with invaluable insights into the daily life, technology, and culture of the Neolithic period in the British Isles. As one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe, Skara Brae offers a unique opportunity to understand the lives of our ancient ancestors and to appreciate the rich history that lies beneath our feet.
Conclusion
Skara Brae is a remarkable archaeological treasure that transports us back to a time when our ancestors were just beginning to build the foundations of modern society. The village’s unique architecture, skilled craftsmanship, and fascinating insights into daily life provide a captivating glimpse into the lives of the Neolithic people who once called this windswept corner of Scotland their home.
As we continue to explore and study Skara Brae, we deepen our understanding of the Neolithic period and the people who shaped it. By preserving and celebrating this ancient site, we ensure that the story of Skara Brae and its inhabitants will continue to captivate and inspire future generations.
References
- Childe, V. G. (1931). Skara Brae: A Pictish Village in Orkney. London: Kegan Paul.
- Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Skara Brae Prehistoric Village. Retrieved from https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/
- Renfrew, C. (1985). The Prehistory of Orkney: Excavations and Fieldwork to 1983. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- UNESCO. (n.d.). Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
