Structure Twenty-seven
— a masterpiece in stone
In 2023, all eyes were on Structure Twenty-seven, the huge subrectangular building buried beneath a giant mound of prehistoric refuse in Trench T.
And once again it did not disappoint.
First encountered in 2015, Structure Twenty-seven is approximately 17 metres long, by 11 metres wide, with walls over two metres thick. Its internal space is defined by enormous stone slabs — looking for all the world like recumbent standing stones — set horizontally along the interior walls. Large stone slabs were inserted in the gap between these prone orthostats and the wall, cladding the less-than-perfect internal faces.
Unfortunately, after it went out of use, Structure Twenty-seven fell victim to prehistoric stone robbing that saw most of its southeastern and south-western walls removed. We had hoped that more of the north-western wall had survived, and, in 2022, our prayers were answered.
As the overlying midden and rubble were removed the quality of the surviving wall’s stonework shone through. It was, quite simply, exquisite.
Arguably the finest masonry uncovered on site to date, the wall was formed by regular courses of perfectly fitted stone. On top of that, the Neolithic builders had also incorporated a deliberate, but very subtle, curve into the length of the wall. The outer face was supported by massive projecting, or stepped, foundation slabs, some over two metres long.
In 2023, the goal was to continue work on the wall and remove the debris filling the interior.
Despite work being slowed down by a mass of roof tiles, significant progress was made. Among several features emerging from Twentyseven’s floor was a substantial hearth, confirmation the building was meant for the living.
Excavation also revealed stone, box-like features, or cells. Whether these represent the bases of dismantled furniture features — such as Skara Brae’s “dressers” — or perhaps the remnants of bench-like arrangements remains to be seen.
Although Twenty-seven is, as yet, undated, the consensus is that it is later than once thought and contemporary with Structure Ten.