What is Skara Brae?
{{Infobox ancient site | name = Skara Brae | native_name = | alternate_name = | image = Skara Brae 12.jpg | alt = | caption = Skara Brae, looking north | map_type = Scotland Orkney | map_alt = | map_size = | location = [[Mainland, Orkney]], [[Scotland]], UK | coordinates = {{coord|59.048611|-3.343056|display=inline}} | type = Neolithic settlement | part_of = | length = | width = | area = | height = | builder = | material = | built = | abandoned = | epochs = [[Neolithic]] | cultures = | dependency_of = | occupants = | event = | excavations = | archaeologists = | condition = | ownership = [[Historic Scotland]] | public_access = Yes | website = | notes = | designation1 = WHS | designation1_partof = [[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]] | designation1_date = 1999 <small>(23rd [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small> | designation1_type = Cultural | designation1_criteria = i, ii, iii, iv | designation1_number = [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/514 514] | designation1_free1name = State Party | designation1_free1value = Scotland | designation1_free2name = Region | designation1_free2value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]] }} '''Skara Brae''' ({{pronEng|ˈskɑrə ˈbreɪ}}) is a large stone-built [[Neolithic]] settlement on the [[Bay of Skaill]] on the west coast of mainland [[Orkney Islands|Orkney]], [[Scotland]]. It consists of ten houses. It was occupied from roughly 3100–2500<small>BC</small>.<ref>Childe, V. Gordon & D.V. Clarke 1983. ''Skara Brae''. Edinburgh: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. {{ISBN|0-11491755-8}}.</ref> It is [[Europe]]'s most complete [[Neolithic]] village. The level of preservation is such that it is a main part of the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] of the [[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]]. This is one of four [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s in Scotland, the others being the [[Old Town, Edinburgh|Old Town]] and [[New Town, Edinburgh|New Town]] of [[Edinburgh]]; [[New Lanark]] in [[South Lanarkshire]]; and [[St Kilda]] in the [[Western Isles]]. == Discovery a