Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a group of ancient monuments located on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. UNESCO named these sites a World Heritage Site on December 2, 1999.
The site includes four locations. Ness of Brodgar is an archaeological area between the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness. It has uncovered evidence of homes, decorated stone slabs, a large stone wall with foundations, and a building described as a Neolithic "cathedral." Although Ness of Brodgar is not part of the World Heritage Site, it helps scientists better understand the WHS, according to Historic Scotland, which manages much of the area.
In 2008, UNESCO raised concerns about plans by the local government to build three large wind turbines near the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, which could harm the site. In 2019, a study was conducted to evaluate how climate change might affect the site. The report, created by Historic Environment Scotland, the Orkney Islands Council, and others, states that the entire World Heritage Site, especially Skara Brae, is "extremely vulnerable" to climate change because of rising sea levels, more rainfall, and other factors. The report also warns that Skara Brae could be partially destroyed by one very strong storm.
In April 2019, the Climate Vulnerability Index was first used to assess a Cultural World Heritage site. This assessment was applied to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.