Where are the trees? Gathering and using timber in Neolithic Orkney
“To everyone’s surprise, the primary occupation of Wideford Hill was found to be represented by a series of structures or houses of timber construction.”… Continue reading
Category: Around the Ness
The Norse on the Ness of Brodgar
By Sigurd Towrie
A few weeks ago conversation at excavation HQ drifted from matters Ness and the Neolithic to apparent Viking Age runes found in the 1920s at the nearby Brodgar farm.… Continue reading
Geophysics suggests the Ness may not be the unique Neolithic site once thought
“Taking in an area of c.55 hectares, the remote sensing survey of land to the north of Bookan has been nothing short of revelatory.”… Continue reading
Enclosing the midden mound – Iron Age activity at the Ness
By Sigurd Towrie
Although the Ness of Brodgar is best known for its Neolithic archaeology, the isthmus was a focus of activity throughout prehistory and history.… Continue reading
Around the Ness: Big Howe
“A little way to the eastward of the Ring of Stenness is a mound called ‘Big How’ but of what nature I am unable to decide and it would require considerable excavation to make out its details…”
Lieutenant F.W.L.… Continue reading
Further afield: Quanterness chambered cairn
“Situated on a gentle declivity, under the brow of Wideford Hill, it looks towards the North Isles.”
Rev George Barry. The History of the Orkney Islands.… Continue reading
The Bay of Skaill trail
We bring this week to a close they way we started it – with another trail!
This time we head to the west coast of the Orkney Mainland and take a wander around the Bay of Skaill, in Sandwick – perhaps best known as the location of Skara Brae.… Continue reading
The Bay of Firth Neolithic trail
Now that things are getting back to some semblance of normality, we’ve turned out attention to the incredibly rich Neolithic landscape around the Bay of Firth.… Continue reading
Further afield: Wideford Hill chambered cairn
“In the Bay of Firth, Wideford and Cuween were set into the side of the hills that frame the area. In fact, they look across the bay at each other, their combined gaze taking in a wider neighbourhood.… Continue reading
Further afield: Cuween chambered cairn
“Set some way upslope, they also looked down on land where settlements had been established for some time. Held at a respectful distance, the spirits of each place kept an eye on the living.… Continue reading
Around the Ness in the 19th century with George Washington Wilson
We were delighted to learn this week that the University of Aberdeen’s George Washington Wilson photographic archive is free to access online.… Continue reading
Time for the old house to die? – henges and houses in the Neolithic
“The first decayed and new ones were made. And in time the new ones became old, yet still they were rings of timber – though now the rings were trimmed posts raised within a bank and ditch that made a wider circle…”
Bernard Cornwell: Stonehenge
By Sigurd Towrie
Over the past few weeks, we have looked at expedient architecture, in particular the idea that some Neolithic buildings may have been hastily built, perhaps dismantled or simply left to become ruinous.… Continue reading
Around the Ness: ‘Lochview’ Standing Stones
…at the north-west end of the Bridge of Brogar is a large dilapidated tumulus, which appears to be the ruin of an ancient stone Pict’s castle; close by it are two small standing stones.”… Continue reading
Around the Ness: Wasbister settlement and disc barrow
“Having got across the low ground of Wasbister they had one very remarkable place to cross called the ‘Seean Burn.’ At this place there has been a great deal of buildings on a large scale, though now it is all buried.”… Continue reading
Around the Ness: Skaefrue
By Sigurd Towrie
Lying around 110 metres (120 yds) downslope and south-west of the Ring of Bookan is the large Bronze Age barrow known as Skaefrue.… Continue reading
Around the Ness – The Stone of Odin
“As we passed the Bridge of Brodgar, we could dimly descry the Standing Stones of Stenness on the eminence but today looming in the darkness like a regiment of grim spectres.… Continue reading
Around the Ness: Skara Brae
“Nowhere, except in Egypt or at Pompeii, is a prehistoric settlement to be found, the streets, huts and even domestic furniture of which are in such perfect preservation”
Professor V.… Continue reading
Walk the Ness Neolithic Trail
Although visitors can’t come to Orkney at present due to the Covid pandemic travel restrictions, we’re all looking forward to a time when things get back to some semblance of normality.… Continue reading
