tiompan wrote:
War as was uncommon in the period and there is no evidence of it that I know of in Orkney . It appears that interpersonal violence was common for the period and here too , but you don't need big walls to put a stop to that or raiding which was more suited to mainland areas where you get in and out easily and quickly , not easily achieved on Orkney . The earliest defensive structures on Orkney look to be have been promontory forts and brochs ,both much later than the Ness .
You need big thick, strong walls to keep out the prevailing wind. Nice tight drystone walling a few courses thick, get the kids to pack it tight with moss in the cracks. Keeps out the draughts great. Thousands of years later, they ended up building their new social housing scheme Skara Brae intae a massive midden heap tae keep the draughts oot. Why wouldn't you?