Skara Brae, Stone Age settlement in Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Skara Brae is a Stone Age settlement in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, that includes eight connected stone dwellings. The structures contain stone furniture, central fireplaces, and roofed corridors linking the individual homes in a tightly built village.
A storm surge in 1850 uncovered the settlement, which was occupied from around 3180 BCE and predates Stonehenge. Inhabitants left the village suddenly around 2500 BCE, possibly because of another severe storm.
The houses show stone beds beside the fireplaces where inhabitants slept and worked, while boxes sunk into the floor kept fresh seafood cool. This setup reflects daily life in a coastal community that relied on fishing and animal herding.
The site opens daily from 9:30, with closing at 17:30 in summer and 16:30 in winter. The walkway follows raised paths that allow a clear view into the homes without entering the structures.
In each house, channels carried wastewater to a central drain beneath the corridors, a system that kept the living spaces clean. Entrances could be locked from inside with stone bars, suggesting a need for privacy or security.
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