The Society of Neolithic Scotland
BC) have discovered the bones of domesticated cattle, sheep and pigs, as well as wild deer, whales and seals. Sea fishing used baited dropnets and the type of fish remains excavated suggest that the boats went as far as five miles from shore.
The culture seems to have been more advanced than many people believe. This was not a society of 'savages' but one where art was appreciated and people enjoyed fine workmanship. For example, a rope made of twisted leather with a carved wooden handle has been excavated. Bone needles, jewellery and decorated pottery have all been found at various sites as well as embossing tools. Weaving was certainly known although, owing to the difficulties of preservation, none has survived from the period. It is assumed that clothing was woven from plant fibres such as nettles or from animal hair but the only evidence is in the form of impressions on pottery. Reeds would have been twisted into baskets.
It is difficult to deduce anything about the structure of society at that time. We know that they built the stone circles and henges and that this must have been an enormous investment of energy but we are unable to say with certainty what they thought. Their burial practices show that they believed in life after death and suggest that clans may have had totems but all we can only use our imaginations to appreciate the difficulties and complexities of their lives.
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