Scotland is a country which, today, comprises the northern part of Great Britain and includes the islands known as the Hebrides and the Orkneys. The name derives from the Roman word "Scotti" which designated an Irish tribe who invaded the region and established the kingdom of Dal Riata. A claim has also been made, however, that the land is named after Scota, daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, who married the Celt Erimon son of Mil and settled in the land which came to be known as Scotland.
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Definition
Timeline
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12000 BCEPaleolithic seasonal camp at Howburn Farm in Biggar, Scotland, visited regularly.
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10500 BCE - 7000 BCEMesolithic settlements established (many seasonal) in Scotland.
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6000 BCEBones and antlers used as tools, ring and cup marks on stones begin appearing in Scotland.
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c. 3700 BCE - c. 2800 BCENeolithic farmstead the Knap of Howar inhabited on Papa Westray, Orkney.
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c. 3500 BCEThe vast stone complex known as the Ness of Brodgar in use in Orkney.
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c. 3300 BCE - 2600 BCENeolithic site of Barnhouse Settlement occupied.
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c. 3300 BCE - 2600 BCEThe Barnhouse Settlement constructed and inhabited.
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c. 3100 BCENeolithic village of Skara Brae inhabited.
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c. 3100 BCE - c. 2500 BCEMegalithic Period in which majority of standing stone sites were constructed.
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3100 BCENeolithic Village of Skara Brae inhabited, stone walls built.
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c. 3000 BCEThe Standing Stones of Stenness erected south of Ness of Brodgar.
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c. 3000 BCE - c. 2800 BCEThe Neolithic chambered cairn known as Maeshowe constructed and in use.
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3000 BCETomb of the Eagles created in Scotland.
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c. 3000 BCE - c. 2800 BCEMaeshowe Passage Grave completed in Scotland.
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2600 BCEStructure Eight (so called) erected at Barnhouse Settlement after village abandoned.
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2600 BCEBarnhouse Settlement abandoned and partially destroyed by inhabitants.
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2600 BCEThe building now known as Structure Eight raised in Barnhouse Settlement after village is abandoned.
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c. 2500 BCE - c. 2000 BCERing of Brodgar constructed on Orkney, north of Ness of Brodgar.
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c. 2500 BCEMigration of the so-called Beaker People to Scotland.
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c. 2500 BCEVillage of Skara Brae is abandoned for unknown reasons.
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c. 2500 BCE - c. 2000 BCEThe Balnuaran of Clava (Clava Cairns) is built.
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c. 2000 BCE - c. 1400 BCEEarly Bronze Age in Scotland.
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c. 1400 BCE - c. 900 BCEMiddle Bronze Age in Scotland.
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c. 900 BCE - c. 400 BCELate Bronze Age in Scotland.
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c. 900 BCECeltic Migration begins in Europe with many Celts landing in Scotland.
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c. 700 BCEIron Age begins in Scotland.
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c. 500 BCEHomes and forts in Scotland reflect Celtic influence.
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79 CEJulius Agricola, Governor of Roman Britain, invades Scotland.
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83 CEThe Battle of Mons Graupius in which Agricola defeats Calgacus of the Picts.
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83 CEBattle of Mons Graupius in Scotland.
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208 CERoman Emperor Severus invades Scotland.
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212 CERome withdraws from region of Scotland.
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c. 300 CEFounding of the Kingdom of Dal Riada in Scotland.
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367 CEPicts, Scots, Saxons, and Franks attack the Roman Empire.
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c. 397 CESaint Ninian brings Christianity to Scotland, rise of literacy and written history.
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c. 500 CEKingdom of Dal Riada conquers the region of Scotland.
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574 CE - 608 CEReign of King Aedan mac Gabrain of Dal Riada, height of kingdom's prosperity.
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770 CELast recorded use of Clava Cairns site in antiquity.
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c. 843 CE - 858 CEKenneth MacAlpin unites the Picts with the Scots to become the first king of Scotland.
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1828 CEFirst excavations begun at Clava Cairns.
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1828 CE - c. 1990 CEOngoing excavations at Clava Cairns.
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1850 CEStorm uncovers the buried Neolithic village of Skara Brae
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c. 1850 CE - 1913 CEExcavations are ongoing at the Skara Brae site.
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1850 CEBuried Neolithic Age village of Skara Brae uncovered by storm.
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1913 CESkara Brae site is plundered by unknown parties.
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1924 CESkara Brae is placed under guardianship of H.M. Commissioners of Works.
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1924 CEA storm damages the exposed village of Skara Brae and destroys one house.
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1927 CEProfessional excavation and preservation efforts begin at Skara Brae under V. G. Childe and J.W. Paterson.
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1999 CESkara Brae declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
