Back on site tomorrow for another seven-week excavation season

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Uncovering work beginning in 2022. (Sigurd Towrie)

Where has the time gone! We’re back on site tomorrow with archaeologists and students from all over the world gathering for another seven weeks of fieldwork.

Chris Gee bailing out water from Structure Eight. (Jo Bourne)

As always, our first task is to remove the protective covers, and the many hundreds of tyres and sandbags that have held them down over the winter.

This year, for the first time since 2019, the entire site is being uncovered, which will take up most of Monday and Tuesday.

Typically, after many rain-free weeks, the heavens opened this weekend, so tomorrow’s work looks like being soggy! Waterproofs will definitely be needed.

On that note, if you’re in Orkney and can led a hand uncovering the trenches, we’d be delighted to see you – whether for just a few hours or both days. We strongly suggest that anyone interested look out old clothes, strong footwear and waterproofs (and bring a packed lunch/refreshments).

So, if you can spare some time, and don’t mind getting wet and a bit muddy, just turn up on site for a 9am start on Monday/Tuesday.

The main gate remains closed until Wednesday, when we re-open to the public, so volunteers should make their way to the staff entrance at Lochview (marked by the presence of the two standing stones).