Saints and Stones: Knap of Howar
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Knap of Howar on the Orkney island of Papa Westray is a Neolithic farmstead that is claimed to be the oldest preserved stone house in northern Europe, with radiocarbon dating showing that it was occupied from 3500 B.C. to 3100 B.C., earlier than the very similar houses in the settlement at Skara Brae.

The farmstead consists of two adjacent rounded rectangular thick walled buildings with very low doorways facing to sea, the larger and older linked by a low passageway to the other which has been interpreted as a workshop or a second house. They were constructed on an earlier midden, and surrounded by midden material which has protected them. There are no windows, and they were presumably lit by a hole in the roof to let out smoke.

The walls still stand to an eaves height of over five feet, and the stone furniture is intact giving a vivid impression of life in the house. Fireplaces, partition screens, beds, and storage shelves are almost intact, and post holes were found indicating the roof structure.

About the Knap of Howar

Orkneyjar: The Knap o' Howar, Papay
Megalithic Portal: Knap of Howar
The Modern Antiquarian: Knap of Howar
Stone Pages: Knap of Howar
Wikipedia: Knap of Howar

Journey to the Knap of Howar

Papa Westray is one of the North Isles of Orkney and may be visited by ferry or air from Kirkwall. There is also a Papa Westray ferry that leaves daily from Pierowall on Westray.

Ordnance Survey Map (HY4820651750)

Visitors Information

Visitors information for the Knap of Howar may be found on the Historic Scotland website. General tourism information for Papa Westray may be found on the Papa Westray, Orkney website. General tourist information for Orkney as a whole may be found on the Visit Orkney website.

Additional Photos of the Knap of Howar

Ancient Monument Sign for Knap of Howar
Descriptive Sign at the Knap of Howar
The Two Connected Structures at the Knap of Howar
The Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
Entrance to the Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Larger Structure at the Knap of Howar
The Smaller Structure at the Knap of Howar
Entrance to the Smaller Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Smaller Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Smaller Structure at the Knap of Howar
Interior of the Smaller Structure at the Knap of Howar
The Connecting Passageway Between Structures at the Knap of Howar
Front of the Knap of Howar


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