The Picts in Orkney

Although often called the Dark Ages, the first millennium AD was in fact a time of great change and development, with not least the Roman invasion, the forceful spread of Christianity, the emergence of local, regional, and finally national power. The Pictish influence was felt in Orkney, to be followed by Norse domination by the end of the millennium. The people of Orkney probably continued with their pastoral agriculture and fishing as previously, but much improved ships allowed more contact with the outside world, and certainly by the 8th century many families were living in remarkably good houses with a reasonable standard of life.

Pictish stone, Brough of Birsay (replica)

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