Grinding Stone

The farmstead at the Knapp of Howar is the oldest standing building in northern Europe. It’s been here for 5,600 years and was inhabited for 500 years.

The farmers grew wheat and barley, kept cattle and sheep and ate fish and shellfish, just like the modern farmers of Orkney today. Inside the house is this grinding stone. I’m slightly obsessed by it. How many hands have held it? How many mouths have been fed by it? What life has this silent stone seen pass by?

Knap of Howar

Knap of Howar

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