Skara Brae (pronounced ) is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of mainland Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten houses, and was occupied from roughly 3100-2500BC. It is Europe's most complete Neolithic village and the level of preservation is such that it has gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Until 1850, Skara Brae lay under years of soil sediment when in the winter of that year a large storm stripped the grass from the large mound known as Skerrabra.
The outline of several of stone buildings was revealed and initial excavations were undertaken by William Watt, the laird of Skaill. It was fully excavated between 1928 and 1930 by Vere Gordon Childe following another storm in 1926.
| Heart of Neolithic Orkney* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| State Party | United Kingdom |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 514 |
| Region† | Europe and North America |
| Inscription History | |
| Inscription | 1999 (23rd Session) |
|
* Name as inscribed
on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
