Ness Lego models on display in Orkney Library until August 17
If you missed our Big Ness Lego Build earlier this month, the completed models are on display in the Orkney Library until August 17. Read more
Monthly Archive: July 2026
Dig diary – incised stone brings week three to a close in true Ness style
Week three drew to a close in typical Ness style - with a decorated stone... Read more
Dig diary – reaching the base of the central hearth
Hearth deposits were shallow, more foundation slabs emerged, and excavation confirmed a surrounding gully - all adding to our structure's "very odd” character. Read more
Diary extra – 3d model of Joanne’s ‘jigsaw puzzle’ pot…
A 3d model of Joanne Greave's reconstructed pot from Structure Thirty-Four. Read more
Dig diary – an external working area and possible rock art
Another very productive day on site with excavation in and around the remains of our new building. Read more
Diary extra – 3d model of ard marks
A photogrammetry model from Paul Durdin showing one group of prehistoric ard marks in Trench W. Read more
Dig diary – stratigraphic detective work
A drain, a hearth and clarifying the story of our new structure. Read more
Dig diary – home is where the hearth is
Today, we can say with confidence that we are looking at a hearth at the centre of a Late Neolithic building in Trench W. Read more
Time Team’s Ness special now online
Following its world premiere in Orkney earlier this month, Time Team's Ness of Brodgar special will go live to the public at 7pm tonight. Read more
Dig diary – gneiss, soil and a shadow of something taking shape
Today's update from the end of week two. Read more
Dig diary – has medieval ploughing erased most of our mysterious structure?
Work to uncover the final trench quadrant - the north-western one - got under way today, revealing another small section of the circular anomaly. Read more
Dig diary – three quadrants exposed
A shorter diary than usual because it's been full steam ahead in the trench today. Read more
Dig diary – a planning marathon, orthostats, clay and Grooved Ware
Trench TT yielded fresh clues today, including a projecting orthostat, yellow clay layers and a fragment of Grooved Ware pottery. Read more
Dig diary – another slice of the anomaly and the axe that wasn’t
Another bright, busy day saw new orthostats emerge within the circular anomaly, continued rubble removal along the trench edge, fresh planning and sampling — plus a fleeting false alarm over a “stone axe.” Read more
Imagination rebuilds the Ness – three days of Lego creativity comes to an end
Our three-day Big Ness Lego Build ended today and has been hailed a resounding success. Read more
Dig diary – week one ends with more prehistoric ard marks
Week one draws to a close and what a productive one it's been. Read more
Dig diary – ard marks and emerging buildings?
Today's update from Trench TT as we near the end of week one. Read more
Dig diary – mist, mud… and an Early Neolithic arrowhead
As work continued, the third example of an Early Neolithic leaf arrowhead emerged from Trench TT. Read more
