The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland
© Paul Williams - FunkyStock/Getty Images
Digging into the past
Imagine standing amid Skara Brae's ancient stone houses on Scotland's Orkney archipelago, pictured here, where Neolithic settlers thrived over 5,000 years ago. Village life ended sometime around 2500 BCE and for centuries the homes were buried beneath sand and earth, until they were uncovered by a storm in 1850. This prehistoric marvel is sometimes dubbed the 'Scottish Pompeii' due to its astonishing preservation—older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. It's part of the wider Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside other prehistoric survivors including the huge Ring of Brodgar stone circle. If digging up the past appeals, the Festival of British Archaeology is running July 13-28. So, grab your trowel and get ready to dig deep into the incredible, storied past. Who knows what you'll discover!