From Bone to Bead: Shaping Identity in the Neolithic at Skara Brae

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new research project exploring one of the most intriguing (and often overlooked) craft traditions of Neolithic Orkney: the making of bone beads and pendants at Skara Brae.

Skara Brae is famous for its beautifully preserved stone houses and its remarkably rich material culture. Scattered among these finds were small, carefully worked bone beads—tiny pieces of ancient craftsmanship that hint at personal adornment, identity, and creativity more than 4,500 years ago. Despite their importance, we still know surprisingly little about how these beads were made, who made them, and what they meant to the people who wore them. Our project aims to change that.

Emma examining the Skara Brae ornaments in the National Museum of Scotland Collection Stores with David Clarke & Alison Sheridan.

Through close analysis of archaeological collections and experimental reconstruction of bead-making techniques, we’ll be piecing together the full story behind these miniature masterpieces. This project will be the focus for Emma's MScR at the University of York, supervised by Dr Aimée Little and Mark Edmonds

By understanding the skill, time, and choices involved in producing bone beads, we hope to shed new light on craft traditions in the Orcadian Neolithic and the roles that ornaments may have played in daily life at Skara Brae.

Taking a closer look: Emma examines the beads for micro-wear traces and tool manufacturing marks.

Over the coming months we’ll be sharing updates from the workshop and the lab, so if you’re curious about ancient crafts, prehistoric technology, and the people who shaped their Neolithic world through tiny details, we look forward to you following along and are excited to see where the journey takes us!