The group of Neolithic buildings at Skara Brae, which was discovered in 1850 when a great storm removed part of the covering sand dune, are amongst the earliest stone-walled houses to have been found in Europe.
William Watt of Skaill undertook excavation work on the site up until 1868, unearthing the remains of four dwellings.
The settlement then remained undisturbed until another storm damaged some of the previously excavated structures in 1925. A sea-wall was built to preserve these remains, but during the construction work even more ancient structures were discovered. Further excavations followed between 1928 and 1930, directed by V G Childe, uncovering the currently visible structures.
Because of the protection offered by the sand that had covered the settlement for 4,000 years, the buildings and their contents are incredibly well preserved.
The settlement consists of drystone structures linked by paved passageways. Most are built within a mound of midden material that has been packed up against the outer walls, resulting in a semi-subterranean arrangement. Not only are the walls of the structures still standing and the alleyways roofed with their original stone slabs, but the interior fittings of each house give an unparalleled glimpse of life as it was in Neolithic Orkney.
Each house is furnished in a similar fashion using stone slabs with repeated elements including central hearths, box-beds and shelved ‘dressers’. One freestanding building may have been used as a workshop.
Radiocarbon dating has shown that the settlement was occupied for some 600 years from about 3100BC to 2500BC.
The settlement is in the care of Historic Scotland.
Plan of house, Skara Brae
Pen, pencil and wash on paper, c. 1865-7
George Petrie (d. 1875)
RCAHMS: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection
Sketches of houses, Skara Brae
Pen on paper, 1879, from an original of 1865-7
Sir Henry Dryden (1818-1899), after George Petrie (d. 1875)
RCAHMS: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection
Plan of the settlement, Skara Brae
Pen on paper, 1879, from an original of 1865-7.
Sir Henry Dryden (1818-99), after George Petrie (d. 1875)
RCAHMS: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection
Vere Gordon Childe during excavations at Skara Brae, 1930
Photograph, 1930
RCAHMS: Vere Gordon Childe Collection
Sections and elevations of the houses and passageways, Skara Brae
Pen and wash, c. 1879
Sir Henry Dryden (1818-1899)
RCAHMS: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection