Contrary to what many people think, the Ness is NOT an excavation paid for by business or large government grants.
Almost 80 per cent of our funding comes from public donations – especially during the summer dig season.
The length of the Ness of Brodgar excavation season is not controlled by the Orcadian weather, personnel limitations, site access or any other physical constraint — it is simply a function of available funding.
Raising funds is an ongoing process because excavation on this scale is expensive.
Despite the involvement of volunteers and students from around the world and in-kind support, a dig season costs, including post-excavation, over £200,000 every year.
Sample costs
Sheet of waterproof A3 drawing film (300 per season) | £1.15/$1.50 each |
Archive acid-free storage box (100 per year) | £3.25/$4.50 each |
Trowel | £14/$18 each |
Basic environmental sample processing (500 per year) | £15/$20 each |
Slide manufacture for micromorph analysis | £70/$100 each |
Professional supervisor for excavation, survey or on-site finds processing (12 required each year) | £135/$180 per day |
Specialist analysis (ranging from) | £150-300 ($200-400) per day |
Plant hire (circa) | £250/$330 per season |
Radiocarbon dates (circa) | £300/$400 each |
On-site stationery, drawing film etc (circa) | £1,200/$1,600 per season |
Portacabin hire | £1,200/$1,600 per season |
Viewing platform for visitors | £2,100/$2,795 per season |
Overall, the excavations cost (circa) | £2,500/$3,325 per day |
Annual interim report – research, writing, production | £12,000/$16,000 |
The Ness of Brodgar Trust and American Friends of the Ness of Brodgar charities were set-up to raise the funds without which the excavation simply would not happen.
- Contact us if you want to discuss corporate sponsorship, either in kind or financial. We are always glad of your support.
- Contact us too if you want to discuss legacy-giving.