Focus on finds – multi-hollowed cobbles
The Ness of Brodgar archeological site revealed multi-hollowed cobble tools, an unglamorous but significant link to everyday life there. 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.
Wednesday wildlife – sailing off into the sunset
It’s Wednesday again, so time for some more photographs from around the Ness by site director Nick Card.
A reminder that Nick’s pics now feature, along with National Geographic photographer… Read more
The Comet Stone
On low ground 140 metres (153 yards) east of the Ring of Brodgar is the monolith now commonly known as the Comet Stone. Read more
Focus on finds – haematite
Excavations revealed the use of coloured pigments in pottery and walls, specifically using haematite for red hues. Read more
Ness wildlife and landscape cards launched
This week’s ornithological offering from site director Nick Card.
Fans of Nick’s photography will be delighted to learn that a selection of his pictures feature in two new fundraising card… Read more
From the Art Hut – a large expression of colour
By Jeanne Bouza Rose
For me, the mystery of the Ness is the story of what the people were doing there.
During all the years I worked at the dig… Read more
Geology matters 3 – working stone
By Dr Martha Johnson
Camptonite adze recovered from Trench J in 2018. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)
Certain rocks have always been collected on archaeological sites – stone tools and implements that… Read more
German translations of information panels and guidebook text
On April 23, 2020, we appealed for financial help to allow the Ness to continue. That appeal stands.
We received donations, for which we are eternally grateful, and also a… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – birds around Brodgar
This week’s selection of photographs from the camera of dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Introducing ceramics 9 – the bridge and the Bronze Age
The last part of our series is rooted in ceramics research but leads down a twisting, and surprising path. We travel from the Bronze Age to Victorian times, meeting along the way an archaeological villain, a naval tragedy, a world-beating iron bridge and a careful and underrated antiquarian. Read more
Stories in Stones – 2020 Orkney Science Festival Talk
In this talk for the 2020 Orkney Science Festival, Professor Mark Edmonds considers some of the stone artefacts from the Ness – including our carved stone… Read more
The Science of the Ness – 2020 Orkney Science Festival talk
In this talk for the 2020 Orkney Science Festival, site director Nick Card outlines the scientific techniques involved in excavation and post-excavation work and is joined… Read more
Geology matters 2 – Orkney rocks!
By Dr Martha Johnson
The geology of Orkney. (📷 British Geological Survey)
The majority of Orkney’s rocks are sedimentary, specifically clastic sedimentary rocks. These are formed from the compression of… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – osprey over the Harray loch
A few more photographs of the wild residents of the Ness from the camera of dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Introducing ceramics 8 – the dimpled-base experiments
Dimple bases are basal sherds, with finger-impressed dimples on the interior surface, found on Early and Middle Iron Age sites right around the Atlantic coast. Read more
Geology matters 1 – why rock?
By Dr Martha Johnson
A small selection of polished stone artefacts found at the Ness of Brodgar. (📷 Hugo Anderson-Whymark)
Archaeology concerns itself with the study of past people and… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – swanning around…
The swans of the Stenness and Harray lochs feature in dig director Nick Card’s weekly showcase of the fauna around the Ness of Brodgar excavation site.… Read more
A ‘Neolithical Mystery Tour’ of Orkney
National Geographic photojournalist Jim Richardson has published a “storymap” of Neolithic Orkney, giving readers a glimpse into life 5,000 years ago.
The storymap – described by Jim as a “marriage… Read more
Introducing ceramics 7 – colour
Coloured pot reconstructions. (📷 Cecily Webster)
By Roy Towers
One of the joys of working with ceramics within the UHI Archaeological Institute in Orkney is the opportunity to collaborate with… Read more
Introducing ceramics 6 – sticking cordons
At Structure Twelve, sometime in the decades around c. 2300 cal BC, a potter lost his temper. Fed up with their cordons falling off, they adopted a radical solution. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – week seventeen
This week’s selection of photographs from the camera of dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Introducing ceramics 5 – firing
So, our Neolithic Grooved Ware is formed, dried, decorated and ready for the all-important firing. What comes next? Read more
