"Orkney Island - Neolithic Skills at Tomb of Eagles" Top 5 Page for this destination Orkney Travelogue by scotlandscotour

Out across the notorious Pentland Firth, where the waters of the Atlantic pour into the North Sea over submerged skerries, our ancient ancestors found islands of rich soil, sheltered bays, excellent fishing, natural resources and so prosperity.

Though tantilisingly close, the Orkney Islands are to this day accessed by boat. Braving the swirling currents and swelling waves must have taken some courage in small log boats - and I would have waited for a calm day like in this picture!

Of course, nowadays it is all much easier, safer and faster on the ferries that cross 3 times a day. Details of prices and times can be found in my Orkney tips.

Arriving in St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay, O

Our ferry from Gill's Bay takes only one hour to reach St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay Island.

Unlike the larger Northlink ferry from Scrabster (Thurso) into Stromness, the service by Pentland Ferries is modest, and non subsidised. It sails you into the Orkney Islands as if by the back door, gently and to no fanfare. It is a small business and offers the cheapest way to get a car on to the Islands.

This is the view of the small town of St Margaret's Hope as we arrive at 7am mid summer. It is a pretty place with good places to eat. As long as the ferry can compete with the larger competitor, the town will prosper.

The Site of The Neolithic Tomb of the Eagles, Orkn

Above the cliffs at the very south of this island a farmer discovered a "burial chamber" under a mound of earth.

Excavation revealed something very special - a 5000 year old Tomb or Temple full of human bones. Years of study have enabled much understanding of the lifestyles and the environment these people enjoyed, at a time before any metal tools were used.

This Tomb was built by people of the Neolithic, the new stone age.

The discovery of large quantities of Sea Eagles' bones within the chambers lead to the realisation that bodies were excarnated and reduced to a skeleton by the Eagles, over weeks or months.

This picture shows a modern reconstruction on site, of the raised platform on which a body would be laid out for the Sea Eagles to dispose of. This method is known to be used by other civilisations around the world.

Excavations at other tombs have revealed concentrations of bird bones specific to each site - leading to the conclusion that each tribe had its associated species - or Totem.

Here above the cliffs, domain of the Sea Eagle, our ancestors built their temple. It overlooks the sea, a sentinal to all new visitors, friend of foe.

It is here I have been exploring the ancient skills and technologies used by these people.

Inside the Tomb of the Eagles, Orkney Islands Scot

Inside the Tomb were found not just human bones from hundreds of people (carefully selected bones) but pottery and evidence of fire, animal and plant remains.

The segregation of bones over time, together with the evidence of living useage of the tomb and the atmospheric courtyard out front, above the cliffs, plus the finding of stone tools of exemplary skill and sophistication, all lead me to describe this as a temple.

The tools and the architecture of the building itself demonstrate intelligent thinking, learned skills and a society comfortable and rapidly advancing.

It is this that fascinates me most. So I have been exploring, in my mind, the inventiveness and creativity of their ancestors, from the paleolithic through the mesolithic, following the logical progression of tools, physics and engineering.

Of course, the only materials from which to make all they had, were what was available around. Plus the few sacred tools they carried with them on their arrival, like special sharp flints, specialised woods and specific stones - all revered for their properties and effectivness.

So, we followed them on this journey of discovery:

Freda making fire by hand - Orkney magic!

This is in many ways the pinnacle of creation - the moment of magic - creating the sun on earth - a ball of flame!

The journey to this point took us two days but covered the period from the earliest ancestors banging stones together, through making stone tools like axes, hammers and knives, and included making cord from natural fibres.

Armed with this, some wood, and a great deal of intelligence, experience and inventiveness, our ancestors learnt how to make fire, at will. They could summon its power, into their hands - and so the journey of humanity had begun its rollercoaster ride.

For more information on this and ancient skills, like making stone circles and the discovery of metals, you can write to me.

Also, have a look at Five Senses website where there are more pictures of Orkney and Neolithic skills training.

Just like our ancestors I am a craftsman and a "jack of all trades". I happily welcome any comments or additional information about this period and skills.

It is worth noting that Neanderthals had sophisticated stone tools and fire, artwork and whatever else that we have not yet found - 70,000 years ago, so for 65,000 years knowledge, invention and ingenuity passed down the generations and along trade routes.

(Go to my Orkney Transportation Tips for more on moving megaliths in Neolithic times.)

More Pictures ...

If you want to learn ancient skills, like fire making, shelter building, wild food foraging, natural navigation with sun and stars, crafts and more, without using all the modern gadgets and kit, have a look at the Five Senses website - based in Orkney and running courses around Scotland and UK.