Echoes of the Stone Age: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney
The Standing Stones of Stenness
By Wilson44691 - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41293576
Beneath the windswept skies of Scotland's Orkney archipelago lies an archaeological treasure so remarkable it transports us back 5,000 years. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a glimpse into the very distant past and the way an ancient society lived, worshipped and thrived.
The Heart of Orkney is a collection of remarkable Neolithic monuments located on Mainland, the largest island in Scotland’s Orkney archipelago, situated approximately 15 kilometers north of the Scottish mainland.
The site comprises two main areas on Mainland, separated by about 6.6 kilometers. Within these areas are some of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in Europe: a well-preserved settlement, a grand chambered tomb, and two impressive stone circles surrounded by henges. These structures are accompanied by numerous burial and ceremonial sites, forming a significant relict cultural landscape that vividly illustrates life in this remote region over 5,000 years ago.
Together, these extraordinary monuments provide invaluable insights into the material culture, spiritual practices, beliefs, and social organization of a dynamic and innovative period in human prehistory.
The Ring of Brodgar
The Ring of Brodgar is a remarkable Neolithic henge and stone circle located on a narrow isthmus between the Lochs of Stenness and Harray. These are the northernmost examples of circle henges in Britain. The circle has never been fully excavated, so it is possible that some structures or other features may have existed within its bounds.
Although precise dating of the site has yet to be determined, preliminary studies suggest it was constructed between 2500 BCE and 2000 BCE. The stone circle spans 104 meters in diameter and originally comprised up to 60 stones, though by the late 20th century, only 27 remained standing. Surrounding the stones is a circular ditch, up to 3 meters deep, 9 meters wide, and 380 meters in circumference, carved directly into the sandstone bedrock. While the absence of an encircling earth and rock bank technically excludes it from being classified as a true henge, archaeologists frequently use the term to describe the site.
Artifacts discovered in the vicinity, such as flint arrowheads and fragments of stone mace-heads, suggest continued use of the site into the Bronze Age.
Excavations at the Ness of Brodgard
By S Marshall - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50059630
The Ness of Brodgar
Close to the Ring of Brodgar lies another remarkable site: the Ness of Brodgar, which has yielded extraordinary archaeological evidence, including decorated stone slabs, the foundations of a massive stone wall measuring 6 meters in thickness, and a large temple from the Stone Age. The site shows signs of activity beginning around 3500–3400 BCE, with evidence suggesting it was intentionally closed and partially dismantled by approximately 2200 BCE.
The structures at the Ness of Brodgar are constructed from flagstone, a sedimentary rock abundant in Orkney. Flagstone's natural tendency to split into flat, even slabs made it ideal for fine construction using Neolithic tools. Intriguingly, some of the flagstone found at the site is too thin for typical use in flooring or walls, leading researchers to identify it as the earliest evidence of stone roofing materials.
The Ness of Brodgar appears to have been a central and frequently visited site, with strong connections to other monuments in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. This suggests it played a significant role in the social and ceremonial life of the surrounding population.
The Standing Stones of Stenness
The Stones of Stenness, towering remnants of a grand stone circle, stand as one of the oldest ceremonial sites in the British Isles and may represent the earliest henge constructed in the region.
Today, only four massive stones remain upright, each reaching up to 6 meters in height, from an original circle that likely consisted of 12 stones. At the center of the site lies a large hearth, which was once the focal point of the interior. The circle was originally enclosed by a substantial ditch and bank, the physical traces of which have largely been erased over time by agricultural plowing.
The central hearth remains visible today and includes features such as a paved pathway, two stone settings, a potential secondary hearth, and a dolmen. Excavations at the site have revealed pottery fragments and animal bones, providing evidence of cooking activities.
The monument has been dated to approximately 3100–2900 BCE. Although the ditch is no longer visible, it is estimated to have been at least 4 meters wide and 2 meters deep, cut directly into the bedrock. The standing stones, arranged in an oval formation roughly 30 meters in diameter, would have stood within this enclosure.
Nearby, two solitary stones known as the Watch Stone and the Barnhouse Stone are believed to share a connection with the henge, hinting at their role in the broader ceremonial landscape of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
Maeshowe
Maeshowe is a monumental, chambered tomb, built approximately 5,000 years ago, and stands as a remarkable testament to Neolithic craftsmanship. To reach the central stone chamber, one must pass through a 10-meter-long corridor, constructed from enormous sandstone slabs, each weighing up to three tons. At the corners of the central chamber, four magnificent upright standing stones add to the grandeur of the space.
One of Maeshowe’s most extraordinary features is its alignment with the winter solstice. For three weeks before and after the shortest day of the year, the setting sun shines directly down the passageway, illuminating the back wall of the central chamber. This alignment is further linked to the nearby Barnhouse Stone, a standing stone located southwest of Maeshowe.
The tomb appears to have been sealed after several centuries of use as a burial site, remaining undisturbed for around 3,000 years. It was eventually broken into by Norsemen, who left a remarkable legacy - a treasure trove of runic graffiti—light-hearted carvings etched into Maeshowe’s walls. This is the largest collection of runic inscriptions outside Scandinavia, offering a glimpse into the era when Orkney was under their rule.
Skara Brae
Skara Brae, perhaps the most renowned monument within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, is an exceptionally well-preserved Neolithic settlement. It consists of ten clustered stone houses, sheltered by earthen dams for structural support and dating from roughly 3180 BCE to 2500 BCE.
The houses were partially sunk into mounds of domestic waste, known as middens, which provided insulation and stability, shielding the inhabitants from Orkney’s harsh winters. Each dwelling measured about 40 square meters and included a central stone hearth for cooking and warmth. Archaeologists estimate that no more than fifty people lived in the settlement at a time.
The interiors reveal the daily lives of Skara Brae’s inhabitants. Stone-built furniture such as cupboards, dressers, beds, and storage boxes were integral to the dwellings. The layout was consistent across most homes: a dresser placed directly opposite the entrance was the first thing seen upon entering, while larger beds were located to the right of the doorway and smaller beds to the left. This arrangement, along with artifacts such as beads and paint pots found in the smaller beds, suggests that the larger beds may have belonged to men and the smaller ones to women, in line with Hebridean customs observed as recently as the early 20th century.
Several homes featured antechambers connected to partially covered stone drains, likely serving as indoor toilets—a rare convenience in Neolithic times. The remains of stone pillars near the beds suggest they may have supported canopies of fur for additional warmth.
Skara Brae’s residents were skilled artisans and makers of grooved ware, a distinct style of pottery. Their advanced understanding of architecture, evident in their carefully constructed and insulated homes, reflects a society both innovative and adaptable to its environment. This remarkable settlement offers an unparalleled window into daily life over 5,000 years ago, in one of the most remote corners of Neolithic Europe.
If you’d like to know more about the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, as well as options for travel, please visit the website of Historic Environment Scotland | Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba
Their website is the main source for this article.