Link: Data from Ness hearths suggests shift in magnetic field around 3000BC
Archaeomagnetic data from hearths at the Ness of Brodgar suggests a major change in the planet’s magnetic field over two centuries around 3000BC. Read more
From 2004, 20 years of excavation on the Ness of Brodgar revealed a huge complex of monumental Neolithic buildings from the centuries around 3000BC.
Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the site’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.
These made the Ness one of the most important archaeological sites in the world today, changing our understanding of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.
Fieldwork ended in 2024 and the focus is now on the post-excavation analysis of the data gathered. This will lead to full publication with much more available online.
In addition, we will continue working with local communities and schools to develop educational and other resources.
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.
Geophysics day seven – depth-scanning and a new batch of beginners
As we "depth-scanned" areas of the site today, our second open afternoon took place in the afternoon. Read more
Geophysics day six – phase one surveys all but complete
With the surveys of most of the excavation site complete, the next stage is to return to earlier areas for some more detailed scanning. Read more
Focus on finds: A natural source for Structure Seventeen’s stone sphere?
The stone ball found in Structure Seventeen in 2024 may have been formed by the action of water in a Scottish river. Read more
Geophysics day three – thumbs up from Time Team’s John Gater
Day three and we've made great progress as well as welcoming our first group of trainees to site. Read more
Geophysics project to resurvey entire site gets off to a cracking start
Our two-week project to geophysically survey the entire Ness of Brodgar excavation site got under way today. Read more
Ness summer exhibition opens in Maeshowe visitor centre
An exhibition on the Ness of Brodgar project is running in the Maeshowe visitor centre, Stenness, until September 28. Read more
Video: ARP 2025 – ‘Ness of Brodgar: saving the best till last’
The recording of Nick Card's talk at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Archaeological Research in Progress 2025 conference in Edinburgh. Read more
Video: ARP 2025 – ‘(Re)discovering a Neolithic passage grave at Blomuir, Holm, Orkney’
The recording of Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark's talk on the Blomuir chambered cairn, Holm, at the Archaeological Research in Progress 2025 conference. Read more
Video: Past, Present and Future – Ness of Brodgar exhibition film
Mark Jenkins' film of last summer's Ness of Brodgar: Past, Present and Future exhibition in the Orkney Museum is now available to view online. Read more
Pupils investigate Neolithic decoration as part of KGS activities week
Bringing the Ness to Orkney schools - our education officer Katy has been working with pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School and Glaitness Primary. Read more
Excavation and reassessment provides new timeline for the Knap of Howar
A new paper on the Knap of Howar has confirmed that the two Neolithic structures are much later than once thought. Read more
New ORCA report details 1985 Vinquoy excavation for the first time
The UHI Archaeology Institute has published a report of the 1985 re-excavation of the Vinquoy Hill chambered cairn, dedicating it to the late Jacqui Marwick, the archaeologist who led the operation. Read more
Packed house for Nick and Mark in conversation at the Orkney Theatre
A packed house greeted Nick and Mark at the Orkney Theatre last night, when they took to the stage for the Orkney Archaeology Society "in conversation" event. Read more
Summary of final fieldwork season in new Orkney Archaeology Review
A summary of the 2024 excavation at the Ness is among the articles in the new Orkney Archaeology Review, which has been delivered to members of the Orkney Archaeology Society (OAS). Read more
Fingerprint specialist drops in at Ness HQ during Scottish road trip
Professor Kent Fowler, from the University of Manitoba, paid us a visit last week during his road trip around Scotland. Read more
Video: Update on 2024 season at Blomuir chambered cairn now available
The recording of Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark's Orkney Archaeology Society talk the 2024 excavation season at the Blomuir chambered cairn is now available. Read more
Vinquoy chambered cairn, Eday
We begin a series of posts looking at the Neolithic in Eday with the Vinquoy chambered cairn. Read more
Have a go at geophysical survey with two free workshops in June
We are running two free events next month to give beginners a basic understanding of the geophysical survey process and what it can tell us. Read more
