A hearth in Maeshowe?
Back in 2016, a nineteenth century sketch had us pondering whether there might be more to Maeshowe than we see today. Read more
The Ness of Brodgar complex
Discovered in 2003, the Ness of Brodgar site has been under excavation since 2004, revealing a massive complex of monumental Neolithic buildings dating from the centuries around 3000BC.
Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the Ness of Brodgar’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.
These have made the Ness one of the most important archaeological excavations in the world today, changing our understanding of the culture and beliefs of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.
The project is mainly funded through the generosity of the public through our two supporting charities, the Ness of Brodgar Trust and the American Friends.
Glowing review in ‘Current Archaeology’
If you had any doubts about purchasing a copy our new volume, The Ness of Brodgar: As it Stands, then you should read the glowing review in the latest edition… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – selkie sunbathers
This week’s photographs of the wildlife around the Ness of Brodgar from dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Covid uncertainty remains over 2021 Ness excavation season
With 2020 drawing to a close, we have been receiving queries from visitors and interested volunteers about the 2021 excavation season.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing restrictions surrounding Covid-19, we… Read more
Maeshowe and the winter solstice
With its south-westerly facing entrance, Maeshowe’s best known attribute is its orientation towards the setting sun around midwinter. Read more
A standing stone at Maeshowe and the structure that lies beneath
The solstice, an earlier building and standing stone and Norse runes. Read more
Buildings through time: Structure Twenty-Seven
For the next in our series looking at the excavation of each major building on site over time, we jump across to Trench T and the enigmatic Structure Twenty-Seven.
See… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – Farewell Pinkie
Sadly, a week ago today, the body of Pinkie, the dog otter, was found by the side of the Stenness loch. He had died of natural causes.
Site director Nick… Read more
Book review: ‘The Ness of Brodgar: As it Stands’
Book review by Dr Howie Firth MBE, director of the Orkney International Science Festival.
It was a spring ploughing that did it, in Ola and Arnie Tait’s field at Brodgar… Read more
Video: Book launch event and talk
After months of hard work, the Ness of Brodgar interim monograph was launched at a special, socially distanced, event in Kirkwall last night.
Discovered in 2003, excavation at the… Read more
Ness of Brodgar: As it Stands – contents
Excavation at the Ness of Brodgar began in 2005 and The Ness of Brodgar: As it Stands features contributions from University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute staff as… Read more
A Ness team stalwart and a true gentleman – farewell Fraser…
We were deeply saddened to learn that one of our regular team members, Fraser Dixon, has passed away.
Fraser was one of our regular “meet-and-greet” volunteers during the summer excavation… Read more
One-off woodturned pieces on offer to benefit Ness excavation fund
UPDATE: This piece has been sold. Watch this space for further Ness collaborations in the coming months
Michael Sinclair, Orcadian, member of the Register of Professional Woodturners, makes exquisite and… Read more
Christmas last posting dates reminder
Last order dates for delivery before Christmas 2020 are:
Australia and New Zealand: December 1, 2020
Rest of the world: December 8, 2020
UK/Ireland: December 16, 2020.
We’ll process orders… Read more
Buildings through time: Structure Twenty-Six
The next in our series looking at the excavation of each major building on site over time focuses on the smaller and later Structure Twenty-Six.
The excavation of Structure Twenty-Six… Read more
Wednesday Wildlife – Pinkie and the wren
Wednesday again, so time for this week’s selection of photographs from dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Video: ‘Neolithic Carved Stone Balls in context’
Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark, curator of prehistory (Palaeolithic to Neolithic) at the National Museums of Scotland, and Mark Hall, history officer at Perth Museum and Art Gallery, talk carved stone… Read more
Destruction and reconstruction at the Stones of Stenness
In December 1814, disaster struck the Stones of Stenness when a tenant farmer took it upon himself to obliterate them. Read more
Buildings through time: Structure Fourteen
The latest in our series looking at the excavation of each major building over time focuses on Structure Fourteen.
See also
3D model of Structure Fourteen: 2016
3D model of… Read more
Fundraising Christmas gifts unique to the Ness of Brodgar
The Ness of Brodgar has an on-line shop, accessed here.
The goods on sale are all unique to the Ness of Brodgar. Each takes its inspiration from the Ness and… Read more
