Posted by Maris on 18th Mar 2024
Uncover the Secrets of Skara Brae in Scotland
It predates both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, and because of its exceptional preservation, many refer to it as the Scottish Pompeii. As a result, Skara Brae provides a precise window into the lives of the farmers who inhabited the area between 3,200 and 2,500 B.C.
It was not unusual for a strong storm to batter Orkney in the winter of 1850. But this time, a sizable mound's grass and sand were washed away by the storm gusts and high tide. The outlines of various stone buildings were revealed by this operation. After multiple trips to the location, a group of eight buildings was discovered. Skara Brae can be seen by visitors now almost exactly as it was 5,000 years ago.
Skara Brae is made up of eight buildings connected by low, covered corridors. Each of the seven residences has the same layout. They are made up of a square room with a fireplace in the middle. A dresser with shelves on the wall across from the door and beds on either side of the room complete the arrangement. The people on the island constructed their whole house out of stone as there were no trees. This comprised the center hearth, fish tanks to store their bait, dressers, beds, and seats. They used turf for the roofs and insulated their dwellings by building them into middens, or heaps of pre-existing garbage.
The eighth building is broken up into multiple smaller portions; small fragments of bone and antler have been found within, leading experts to believe that this is a community workshop. Additionally, chert—a substitute for flint—and volcanic pumice that washed up on Icelandic shores were discovered by archaeologists. These materials were utilized by the locals to make stone tools.
During the excavations at Skara Brae, a great deal of objects were found by archaeologists. These include of hairpins, bone and ivory jewelry, and bowls and cups crafted from whale or dolphin bones. In addition, they discovered necklaces, shovels, knives, and gaming dice. The people who lived at Skara Brae produced ceramics, such as Grooved Ware, which is a kind of pottery in which ornamental grooves are etched into the pieces. The site's Visitor Center has a large number of these relics on display.
Around 2,500 B.C., life at Skara Brae came to an end. It was originally believed by historians that the peasants had fled their houses because of some kind of natural disaster. Today's archaeologists, however, think that the farms were eventually destroyed by the sea, the wind, and the spray from the saline ocean. When there was insufficient farmland, the people moved to more productive locations.
It is open to visitors to explore a restored house and take in the panoramic view of all the Skara Brae residences from an elevated viewpoint. The location's Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, a store, and a café. In addition, guests can make their own Neolithic pots and enjoy interactive games that allow both kids and adults to travel back in time.
All year long, people can visit this fascinating sight. Travelers to Scotland should not pass up the opportunity to exchange the strains of contemporary life for a quick peek into life 5,000 years ago at Skara Brae.