Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Neolithic archaeological site in Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a group of four major stone monuments on the mainland of the Orkney Islands. They consist of an underground settlement with dwelling spaces, a large burial chamber, a stone circle, and a row of standing stones spread across the western island.
These structures arose about 5000 years ago when communities in northern Scotland wanted to organize their way of life and express their connections to sky and earth. The method of building with stones shows how these early people could pass down their abilities and importance.
The monuments show traces of rituals and burial practices that shaped early community life. Visitors can see through the remains how these people honored their dead and gathered together for shared ceremonies.
Visitors should bring sturdy footwear since the terrain is rough and the weather can be changeable. Each monument sits separately, so it makes sense to allow time for exploring each site and checking local conditions.
At Skara Brae, visitors can actually walk into the underground houses and see how stone furniture was built right into the walls. This makes clear that people here lived in a well-organized way and thoughtfully shaped their living spaces.
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