Skara Brae
Sign in to saveNeolithic archaeological site in Scotland
Key facts
- Type
- Settlement
- Periods
- Neolithic
- Location
- Scotland
- Built
- c. 3180 BC
- Abandoned
- c. 2500 BC
- Owner
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Public access
- Yes
- Hes
- SM90276
- Criteria
- i, ii, iii, iv
- Designated
- 1999 (23rd session )
- Part of
- Heart of Neolithic Orkney
- Region
- Europe
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
Skara Brae (/ˈskærə ˈbreɪ/) is a stone-built Neolithic settlement located along the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney. The site was discovered following a storm exposing the presence of stone structures within the coastal sand dunes. Today, ten structures and four passageways are visible, as well as the remains of stone furniture and fixtures.
The site was occupied from roughly 3180 BC to around 2500 BC and is Europe's most complete Neolithic village. Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites making up "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney".
Gallery (6)
Connections
Categories
1850 archaeological discoveries4th-millennium BC architecture in ScotlandArchaeological discoveries in the United KingdomArchaeological museums in ScotlandArchaeological sites in OrkneyBuildings and structures in OrkneyFormer populated places in ScotlandHarv and Sfn no-target errorsHeart of Neolithic OrkneyHistoric Environment Scotland properties in OrkneyHistory museums in Scotland