32 Ancient Cities That Are Older Than the Pyramids

27. Skara Brae, Scotland: Neolithic Stone Village

Experience life in Stone Age Europe at Skara Brae, Orkney. Occupied from roughly 3180 to 2500 BCE, this settlement is remarkably preserved, having been buried by sand. Its stone houses stand with internal fittings like beds and dressers intact, connected by covered passages. Contemporary with the construction of the earliest pyramids, Skara Brae provides an unparalleled window into a sophisticated Neolithic community adapted to its coastal environment, complete with enigmatic carved stone balls. It offers a tangible connection to a world far removed from the monumental centers of the Near East.