Visual Timeline: Scotland (Ancient)

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12000 BCE 11500 BCE 11000 BCE 10500 BCE 10000 BCE 9500 BCE 9000 BCE 8500 BCE 8000 BCE 7500 BCE 7000 BCE 6500 BCE 6000 BCE 5500 BCE 5000 BCE 4500 BCE 4000 BCE 3500 BCE 3000 BCE 2500 BCE 2000 BCE 1500 BCE 1000 BCE 500 BCE 0 CE 500 CE 1000 CE 1500 CE  
 
12000 BCE: Paleolithic seasonal camp at Howburn Farm in Biggar, Scotland, visited regularly.
 
10500 BCE - 7000 BCE: Mesolithic settlements established (many seasonal) in Scotland.
 
6000 BCE: Bones and antlers used as tools, ring and cup marks on stones begin appearing in Scotland.
 
3700 BCE - 2800 BCE: Neolithic farmstead the Knap of Howar inhabited on Papa Westray, Orkney.
 
3500 BCE: The vast stone complex known as the Ness of Brodgar in use in Orkney.
 
 
3300 BCE - 2600 BCE: Neolithic site of Barnhouse Settlement occupied.
 
 
3300 BCE - 2600 BCE: The Barnhouse Settlement constructed and inhabited.
 
3100 BCE: Neolithic village of Skara Brae inhabited.
 
3100 BCE - 2500 BCE: Megalithic Period in which majority of standing stone sites were constructed.
 
 
3100 BCE: Neolithic Village of Skara Brae inhabited, stone walls built.
 
3000 BCE: The Standing Stones of Stenness erected south of Ness of Brodgar.
 
 
3000 BCE: Tomb of the Eagles created in Scotland.
 
 
3000 BCE - 2800 BCE: The Neolithic chambered cairn known as Maeshowe constructed and in use.
 
 
3000 BCE - 2800 BCE: Maeshowe Passage Grave completed in Scotland.
 
 
2600 BCE: Structure Eight (so called) erected at Barnhouse Settlement after village abandoned.
 
 
2600 BCE: Barnhouse Settlement abandoned and partially destroyed by inhabitants.
 
 
2600 BCE: The building now known as Structure Eight raised in Barnhouse Settlement after village is abandoned.
 
2500 BCE - 2000 BCE: Ring of Brodgar constructed on Orkney, north of Ness of Brodgar.
 
2500 BCE: Migration of the so-called Beaker People to Scotland.
 
 
2500 BCE: Village of Skara Brae is abandoned for unknown reasons.
 
 
2500 BCE - 2000 BCE: The Balnuaran of Clava (Clava Cairns) is built.
 
2000 BCE - 1400 BCE: Early Bronze Age in Scotland.
 
1400 BCE - 900 BCE: Middle Bronze Age in Scotland.
 
900 BCE - 400 BCE: Late Bronze Age in Scotland.
 
900 BCE: Celtic Migration begins in Europe with many Celts landing in Scotland.
 
 
700 BCE: Iron Age begins in Scotland.
 
500 BCE: Homes and forts in Scotland reflect Celtic influence.
 
 
79 CE: Julius Agricola, Governor of Roman Britain, invades Scotland.
 
 
83 CE: Battle of Mons Graupius in Scotland.
 
 
83 CE: The Battle of Mons Graupius in which Agricola defeats Calgacus of the Picts.
 
 
208 CE: Roman Emperor Severus invades Scotland.
 
 
212 CE: Rome withdraws from region of Scotland.
 
 
300 CE: Founding of the Kingdom of Dal Riada in Scotland.
 
 
367 CE: Picts, Scots, Saxons, and Franks attack the Roman Empire.
 
 
397 CE: Saint Ninian brings Christianity to Scotland, rise of literacy and written history.
 
 
500 CE: Kingdom of Dal Riada conquers the region of Scotland.
 
 
574 CE - 608 CE: Reign of King Aedan mac Gabrain of Dal Riada, height of kingdom's prosperity.
 
770 CE: Last recorded use of Clava Cairns site in antiquity.
 
 
843 CE - 858 CE: Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Picts with the Scots to become the first king of Scotland.
 
 
1828 CE: First excavations begun at Clava Cairns.
 
 
1828 CE - 1990 CE: Ongoing excavations at Clava Cairns.
 
 
1850 CE: Storm uncovers the buried Neolithic village of Skara Brae
 
 
1850 CE - 1913 CE: Excavations are ongoing at the Skara Brae site.
 
 
1850 CE: Buried Neolithic Age village of Skara Brae uncovered by storm.
 
 
1913 CE: Skara Brae site is plundered by unknown parties.
 
 
1924 CE: Skara Brae is placed under guardianship of H.M. Commissioners of Works.
 
 
1924 CE: A storm damages the exposed village of Skara Brae and destroys one house.
 
 
1927 CE: Professional excavation and preservation efforts begin at Skara Brae under V. G. Childe and J.W. Paterson.
 
 
1999 CE: Skara Brae declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12000 BCE 10000 BCE 8000 BCE 6000 BCE 4000 BCE 2000 BCE 0 CE