Barnhouse Drains
Barnhouse Drains Barnhouse, the Neolithic "Village" on the coast of Harray Loch has about 13 structures, and r unning between the tents and structures are the drains. These are open gullies, channels designed to allow surface water and personal waste to flow away, across the site, and towards Harray Loch. The Ness of Brodgar, and Skara Brae both have more complex drainage systems designed for more permanent usage. At Barnhouse, there is a structure literally outside the entrance of Structure 2 , whose perimeter is defined only by the drains that encircle it. In the middle of the drain encirclement is a set of stones on edge that we might assume to be a hearth, because they are set in a square arrangement similar to hearths elsewhere. This arrangement differs though, in that it is the start point for one of the drainage channels that flow out of the site. The site reports states that there were voids of some sort underneath these stones, and the plan registers a ...