The Layout of House 3 in the Orkney Barnhouse Settlement at Sternness by the Loch of Harray. SCO 10,599
The village was discovered in the winter of 1984, after a field-walking exercise undertaken by archaeologist, Colin Richards. Agricultural activity over the centuries meant that little remained of the site, but the resulting excavations uncovered evidence of 15 small dwellings in varying stages of development. The structures were round - perhaps with timber and turf roofs - with turf cladding surrounding the outer walls. Because there were no roofed passageways between the huts - such as those at Skara Brae - it appears that the Barnhouse dwellings were free standing and not encased in midden. But particularly intriguing was the fact that each building appeared to have been deliberately demolished at the end of its life. Today, although only the reconstructed lower walls are visible, the similarities between Barnhouse and Skara Brae are obvious. This is not particularly surprising given the two villages were in use at the same time. On closer examination, however, it becomes clear that the Barnhouse structures actually differ in style to Skara Brae. This difference, however, is not great and probably due to the fact that the Barnhouse settlement fell out of use 450 years before Skara Brae. As such, its architecture did not develop to the same extent. These structures - House Two and Structure Eight - are larger and more elaborate than the other buildings at Barnhouse or Skara Brae. These differences, clearly apparent on the site plan to the right, prompted the theory that the structures were built to house someone of importance within a tribal hierarchy. We know the Barnhouse settlement was in use at the same time as the Standing Stones o' Stenness and within the largest structure is a central hearth, similar to the one in the Stenness henge. Was the settlement created to house certain individuals who were instrumental in the construction of the stone ring? This might explain why the buildings were demolished after use.
Size: 6054px × 4041px
Location: The Barnhouse site at Stenness, Orkney Isles. Scotland. UK.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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