Two sherds of pottery

Add to album

These two sherds of pottery were found at the site of the Neolithic Village at Skara Brae in Orkney. They are part of a pottery tradition termed 'Grooved Ware'. The pot dates from between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The sherds, both part of one pot, are decorated with applied strips and impressed grooves. Other sherds from the same pot also survive, and indicate that it was originally a richly decorated object, with complex geometric patterns and pellets.

Contacts between communities meant that potting traditions became widely known, and led to pots of the same general style being made over a wide area. 'Grooved Ware' pottery is found in a number of ceremonial and settlement sites throughout Scotland.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-564-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 215 I
• Date: 3100 - 2400 BC
  3100 - 2400 BC
  Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Ceramic; ext. orange-brown, int. buff
  Ceramic; ext. orange-brown, int. buff
  Pottery / sherd
  Pottery / sherd
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pottery / sherd
  Pottery / sherd
  
• Subject: Pottery
  Pottery
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Sherd of pottery, from 'grooved ware' pot, decorated with complex geometric patterns and pellets, from Skara Brae, between 3100 and 2400 BC
  Sherd of pottery, from 'grooved ware' pot, decorated with complex geometric patterns and pellets, from Skara Brae, between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: