The Knap or Howar is a Neolithic settlement located on the west coast of Papa Westray, one of Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The buildings of the Knap of Howar are of an earlier date than the similar buildings of Skara Brae.
The Knap of Howar consists of two buildings, which together were part of a farm.
The two buildings of the Knap of Howar are both egg-shaped and have rounded corners. They are built side by side but only touch in one place. Since the buildings are on a layer of household waste (centre), it is likely that there was a previous farm at this location.
The walls of both buildings consist of two layers of dry masonry with a low centre in between. The roof was probably partly made of wood or whale ribs.
