History of Skara Brae

	Revision 5 . . (edit) November 17, 2001 4:56 am by Dweir
	Revision 4 . . November 17, 2001 4:25 am by Paul Drye [Copyedit. "Grooved Ware People" would be a great name for a techno band.]
	Revision 3 . . (edit) November 17, 2001 3:55 am by Dweir [Detypo-ification]
	Revision 2 . . (edit) November 17, 2001 2:47 am by Dweir [Just a bit more grammar]
	Revision 1 . . November 17, 2001 2:44 am by Dweir

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff, author diff)

Changed: 1c1

Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skiall on the west coast of mainland Orkney. The level of preservation is such that it has gained [World Heritage Site]? status.

Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skiall on the west coast of mainland Orkney. The level of preservation is such that it has gained UNESCO [World Heritage Site]? status.

Changed: 3c3

Until 1850, Skara Brae lay under the grassland behind the bay. Rough seas and high winds in that year revealed several houses, while in 1924 the remainder was uncovered as a result of similar weather.

Until 1850, Skara Brae lay under the grassland behind the bay. Rough seas and high winds in that year revealed several houses, while in 1924 the remainder was uncovered as a result of similar weather.

Changed: 7c7

The houses were built in midden? (rotting rubbish!) to give greater stability - connecting passages were dug out to connect the houses, which have 3 metre high walls.

The houses were built in midden? -- rotting rubbish -- to give greater stability; passages were dug out to connect the houses, which have 3 metre high walls.

Changed: 9c9,11

On average, the houses measure 40 square metres in size, and contain a number of stone-built pieces of 'furniture' including 'cupboards', 'dressers', 'seats' and 'box beds'. Most houses have a large hearth which would have been used for cooking. Other anciliary rooms may have included storage rooms and - possibly - toilets.

On average, the houses measure 40 square metres in size, and contain a number of stone-built pieces of 'furniture' including 'cupboards', 'dressers', 'seats' and 'box beds'. Most houses have a large hearth which would have been used for cooking. Other anciliary rooms may have included storage rooms and -- possibly -- toilets. A comparable -- if smaller -- site exists at Rinyo? on Rousay island. Unusually, no Maes Howe type tombs have been found on Rousay and although there are a large number of Orkney-Cromarty [chambered cairns]? these were built by Unstan Ware people.