Often referred to as the “Scottish Pompeii,” Skara Brae is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney.”

Discovery of Skara Brae

The village was uncovered in 1850 after a severe storm stripped away the earth covering the site, revealing a cluster of stone buildings. Subsequent excavations revealed an entire prehistoric settlement, one of the most complete and well-preserved Neolithic villages in Europe. Skara Brae predates both the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge, making it a site of global significance.

The Layout of the Village

Skara Brae consists of eight stone-built houses connected by covered passageways, creating a small but highly organized community. The settlement is estimated to have been inhabited from around 3180 BC to 2500 BC. The design and construction of the village highlight the advanced nature of Neolithic society in Orkney.

• Houses: Each house is strikingly similar, with low walls and stone furniture, including beds, hearths, and stone cupboards known as “dressers.” The interior layouts suggest a uniformity in daily life, with central hearths used for heating and cooking, and the “dressers” likely serving as storage or display for valuable items.
• Building Materials: The structures are made entirely of stone, as wood was scarce on the islands. The stone houses were built to withstand the harsh Orkney climate, which was likely a challenge for the village’s inhabitants.

Daily Life in Skara Brae

Archaeologists believe the villagers were skilled farmers, fishers, and hunters, with evidence of domesticated animals such as cattle and sheep. They likely supplemented their diet with seafood from the nearby coast and gathered resources such as seaweed and shellfish. Tools made from stone, bone, and antler have been found, along with pottery and other artefacts that provide insights into their daily lives.

• Social Structure: The uniformity of the homes suggests a community with relatively equal status, with little evidence of significant hierarchy. However, the village’s sophisticated layout indicates a strong social organization and possibly communal living or shared responsibilities.
• Art and Craftsmanship: Several carved stones and decorative objects, such as beads and jewellery, have been found, indicating that the people of Skara Brae also valued artistic expression and had developed skills in crafting.

Climate and Abandonment

The reasons behind the abandonment of Skara Brae remain a topic of debate among archaeologists. Some theories suggest that changing environmental conditions, particularly coastal erosion or worsening weather, may have forced the inhabitants to leave the village. Others believe social or economic changes could have contributed to its eventual desertion.

Today, Skara Brae is located close to the shore, but during its occupation, it was likely situated further inland, suggesting that the coastline has significantly eroded over the millennia.

Visiting Skara Brae Today

Skara Brae is one of Orkney’s most visited attractions and offers an immersive experience for visitors. The site is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and the modern visitor center provides informative displays, including a replica house that allows visitors to see what life inside the village might have been like.

Visitors can walk around the preserved structures, looking into the ancient houses from above to see the stone furniture still in place. The atmosphere at Skara Brae is particularly evocative, with the wind sweeping in from the North Atlantic, transporting visitors back to a time when this village was a thriving community.

Significance and Legacy

Skara Brae holds a special place in both Scottish and global prehistory. Its exceptional state of preservation provides invaluable insights into Neolithic life, making it a focal point for understanding early human history in Northern Europe. Alongside other nearby Neolithic sites like the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, and the Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae contributes to Orkney’s reputation as one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in the world.