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On the largest island, of Orkneys, in Scotland, are 10 homes made of earth dammed flagstone.

Included inside are stone hearths, beds, and cupboards. And, because of the preservation of earth dammed flagstone. It is still one of Europe’s most complete Neolithic villages

They even had stone sewers that took water to and from the ocean

Discovery was in 1850, when a storm causing damage and over 200 deaths, uncovered Skara Brae
Owners of the property discovered four houses but abandoned the project 18 years later.

Eventually the site was raided by a group who took away unknown artifacts. And, in 1924, a storm swept away one of the houses
Finally in 1927, it was decided in that the University of Edinburgh must properly investigate this site.

The houses are similar to pit houses (sunk into mounds), with protection from rain. They were about 430 square feet
The stone hearths were used for heating and cooking. Though, given remote location, it was not known what they burned and ate. It could have been seaweed, driftwood, waste, peat, cattle, sheep, fishbones, anything they could find. Though comfy, it would have been hard to have more than 50 people there.

In 1972, the university determined the site was occupied from around 3200 BC to 2500 BC. They unearthed grains, ivory pins, killer whale teeth, walrus ivory, carving, body paints, neolithic weaving’s and more. There have been all kinds of theories about the people there.

Historical environment Scotlands, “Statement of Significance” for the site sums it up well and is:
‘The monuments at the heart of Neolithic Orkney and Skara Brae proclaim the triumphs of the human spirit in early ages and isolated places. They were approximately contemporary with the mastabas of the archaic period of Egypt (first and second dynasties), the brick temples of Sumeria, and the first cities of the Harappa culture in India, and a century or two earlier than the Golden Age of China. Unusually fine for their early date, and with a remarkably rich survival of evidence, these sites stand as a visible symbol of the achievements of early peoples away from the traditional centers of Civilizations.’

Theories included of who lived at Skara Brae, are popular of magicians. And, even a low wizards road to additional sites in southern England (kidding). Here’s to civilizations!

Bibliography: Skara Brae Sandwick, Scotland”. Atlas Obscura. 20 January 2018. Retrieved May 2022. Amazing and mysterious Neolithic settlement on Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Fenton, Alexander (1978). Northern Isles: Orkney and Shetland. John Donald Publishers Ltd. ISBN0-85976-019-7.

Darvill, Timothy (1987). Prehistoric Britain. London: Yale University Press. ISBN0-300-03951-4.

Hawkes, Jacquetta (1986). The Shell Guide to British Archaeology. London: Michael Joseph. ISBN0-7181-2448-0.

Childe, V. Gordon; Clarke, D. V. (1983). Skara Brae. Edinburgh: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. ISBN0-11-491755-8.