Rennibister Earth House facts for kids
The Rennibister Earth House is an amazing ancient building found on the Mainland of Orkney, Scotland. It sits near the southeastern shore of the Bay o' Firth, right in a farmyard. To get inside, you climb down a ladder through a hatch in its roof! This spot is quite pretty, especially compared to another similar site called Grain Earth House.
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What is an Earth House?
An earth house, also known as a souterrain, is an underground passage or chamber. People in ancient times built these structures. They were often used for storing food, especially crops, to keep them cool and safe. Sometimes, they might have been used as shelters or special meeting places.
Discovery and History
The Rennibister Earth House was found by accident on November 12, 1926. A threshing machine, which is a farm tool used to separate grain, caused part of the roof to collapse. This lucky accident revealed the hidden structure! Experts believe this earth house was built around 1000 BC, which means it's over 3,000 years old.
Exploring the Structure
When it was first used, you would have entered through a low passage. This passage led to a small drop into the main chamber. The chamber itself is quite special. It has four strong pillars that help hold up the roof. Around the walls, there are five small alcoves, like little cubbyholes.
Who Used This Place?
One of the most interesting and unusual things about Rennibister Earth House is what was found inside. Archaeologists discovered the bones of 6 adults and 12 children in the chamber. This is very rare for an earth house. It suggests that this place might have been used for burials, or perhaps it was a very important spiritual site for the people who lived there long ago.
Looking After the Site
Today, the Rennibister Earth House is a very important historical place. It is looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. They protect it as a scheduled monument, which means it's a nationally important archaeological site. This helps make sure that future generations can also learn from and visit this amazing piece of history.
