Jarlshof Prehistoric Settlement in Sumburgh Head, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom | Museum | National Landmark | Archeological Park | Historic | Historic Site

Jarlshof PreHistoric Settlement, Sumburgh Head, Shetland Island, Scotland, United Kingdom

Jarlshof PreHistoric Settlement, situated opposite Sumburgh Airport, in Sumburgh Head, Scotland, is probably the Shetland Islands' principal preHistoric site. The complex covers a wide timespan. Round houses from the Bronze Age and Iron Age lie alongside Viking long houses. The most recent buildings are a farmhouse dating from the 16th Century and a hall built by the infamous earls Robert and Patrick Stewart. A small Museum details the course of the excavations. The name "Jarlshof" has no Historic importance, but originates from the imagination of Sir Walter Scott who visited the island in 1816 and immortalized it in his book "The Pirate".

Jarlshof PreHistoric Settlement is one of the most complete, and earliest, excavations of a Viking settlement. It serves to show that the Vikings were peaceful settlers as well as violent raiders.