Editing Skara Brae (section)

==Related sites in Orkney==
[[File:Skarabrae5.jpg|alt=Skara Brae in the sunshine|thumb|Skara Brae in the sunshine]]
[[Knap of Howar]], on the Orkney island of [[Papa Westray]], is a well-preserved Neolithic farmstead. Dating from 3500&nbsp;BC to 3100&nbsp;BC, it is similar in design to Skara Brae, but from an earlier period, and it is thought to be the oldest preserved standing building in northern Europe.<ref name = "Knap of Howar">{{Cite web | url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knaphowar.htm | title=The Knap o' Howar, Papay | publisher=Orkneyjar | access-date=5 September 2007}}</ref>

The [[Barnhouse Settlement]] is by [[Loch of Harray]] on the Orkney Mainland, not far from the [[Standing Stones of Stenness]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-21|title=The Barnhouse Settlement|url=https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/around-the-ness-the-barnhouse-settlement/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=The Ness of Brodgar Excavation|language=en-GB}}</ref> Excavations were conducted between 1986 and 1991, over time revealing the base courses of at least 15 houses. The houses have similarities to those of the early phase of Skara Brae in that they have central hearths, beds built against the walls and stone dressers, and internal drains,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barnhouse {{!}} Canmore|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/2152/barnhouse|access-date=2020-06-27|website=canmore.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> but differ in that the houses seem to have been free-standing. The settlement dates back to circa 3000 BC.<ref name="Agenda">{{Cite book | title = The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Research Agenda| publisher = Historic Scotland| volume =Part 2 | year =2005 | url =http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/orkney-agenda-part2.pdf| isbn =1-904-966-04-7 }}</ref>{{rp|52}}

A comparable, though smaller, site exists at [[Rinyo]] on [[Rousay]], Orkney. Unusually, no [[Maeshowe]]-type tombs have been found on Rousay and although there are a large number of [[Chambered cairn#Orkney-Cromarty|Orkney–Cromarty chambered cairn]]s, these were built by [[Unstan ware]] people.

There is also a site currently under excavation at [[Links of Noltland]] on [[Westray]] that appears to have similarities to Skara Brae.<ref>{{harvnb|Darvill|1987|p=105}}</ref>