Farmers and monument builders Prehistoric Scotland

neolithic dwellings @ skara brae, orkney

neolithic farming brought permanent settlements. @ balbridie in aberdeenshire crop markings investigated, , ditches , post holes found, revealing massive timber-framed building dating 3600 bc. identical building, evidence of pottery, excavated @ claish near stirling. on islet of eilean domhnuill, in loch olabhat on north uist, unstan ware pottery suggests date of 3200–2800 bc may earliest crannog.

the remainder of section focuses on orkney islands, there neolithic landscape rich in sites amazingly preserved prevalent use of local stone appears on shore ready-split convenient building slabs. there many other examples across country, many under care of historic scotland.

at wonderfully preserved stone house @ knap of howar on orkney island of papa westray (occupied 3500 bc 3100 bc) walls stand low eaves height, , stone furniture intact. evidence middens shows inhabitants kept cattle, sheep , pigs, farmed barley , wheat , gathered shellfish, fishing species must caught boats using lines. finely made , decorated unstan ware pottery links inhabitants chambered cairn tombs nearby , sites far afield, including balbrindi , eilean domhnuill.

the houses @ skara brae on mainland of orkney islands similar, grouped village linked low passageways. settlement occupied 3000 bc 2500 bc. pottery found here of grooved ware style found across britain far away wessex.

about 6 miles (10 km) skara brae, grooved ware pottery found @ standing stones of stenness (originally circle) lie centrally in close group of 3 major monuments. maeshowe, finest example of passage grave type of chambered cairn (radiocarbon dated before 2700 bc) lies east. ring of brodgar circle of standing stones across bridge north. circle 1 of first analysed professor alexander thom establish use of standing stones astronomical observatories. neolithic village has been found nearby @ barnhouse settlement, , inference these farming people builders , users of these mysterious structures.

like standing stones @ callanish on lewis , other standing stones across scotland, these monuments form part of europe-wide megalithic culture produced stonehenge in wiltshire , stone rows @ carnac in brittany.

further evidence can found in kilmartin glen stone circles, standing stones , rock art

the widespread connections of these people shown offerings imported cumbria , wales , left on sacred hilltop @ cairnpapple hill, west lothian, 3500 bc.