Early History and Discovery
The history of Skara Brae dates back to the late Neolithic era, approximately 3180 BCE, during a period when people in the British Isles began to shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more settled agricultural communities. Located on the western coast of the Orkney Islands, Skara Brae was initially inhabited by a group of prehistoric people who built their homes with stone and lived in a highly organized and structured community.
The site was discovered in 1850 when a severe storm eroded part of a sand dune and revealed the remains of what appeared to be a village. Over the years, further excavations have revealed an astonishingly well-preserved settlement, offering insights into the architecture, daily life, and customs of its inhabitants.
The Architecture of Skara Brae
The village at Skara Brae consists of a series of stone-built houses, each equipped with a central hearth and a variety of furniture and tools. The houses were interconnected by a network of covered passages, indicating a communal lifestyle. The walls of the houses were made from large, rough-hewn stone blocks, with roof structures likely made of timber and thatch.
One of the most striking features of Skara Brae is its advanced level of organization. The homes were built to a remarkably consistent plan, with small stone-built compartments, recessed beds, and storage niches. These homes were not only designed to be functional but also provided comfort and warmth, with the central hearth used for both cooking and heating.
Inside the homes, archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including tools, pottery, jewelry, and animal remains, which shed light on the daily activities and social practices of the people who lived there. The presence of carved bone and antler objects suggests that the inhabitants had a well-developed sense of art and craftsmanship. shutdown123