Focus on finds: Skaill knives (and how to make them)
A look at 'Skaill knives' - a very common Neolithic stone tool - their use and fabrication. Read more
Category: Focus on Finds
Focus on finds: haematite
Excavation revealed the use of coloured pigment on pottery and walls, specifically using haematite for red hues. Read more
Focus on finds: a natural explanation for 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
Focus on finds: Arran pitchstone
Arran pitchstone has only been found at two Neolithic sites in Orkney – the Ness of Brodgar complex and the Barnhouse settlement, some 460 metres to the south-east. Read more
Focus on finds: Structure Ten’s sea eagle foundation deposit
In August 2019 there was great excitement on site following what appeared to be the discovery of a second human arm bone in Structure Ten. Closer examination, however, revealed it to be the wing bone of a sea eagle. Read more
Focus on finds: small clay balls
Three of the Ness of Brodgar’s small clay balls. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)
There were many puzzling finds over 20 years of excavation. Among those are the tiny, marble-sized, clay balls… Read more
Focus on finds: Structure Eight’s whalebone macehead
In 2010, an unusual whalebone macehead was found at the Ness. It was part of a cache of artefacts, which included a polished stone axe and a whale tooth. Read more
Focus on finds: maceheads
There is no doubt that the Ness maceheads are among the most beautiful artefacts found on site - often using spectacular rock specifically selected for its visual impact, and sometimes clearly from outwith Orkney. Read more
Focus on finds: the Orkney vole
Vole remains found in Neolithic Orkney suggest the rodents arrived between 3455–3100BC, potentially from Belgium, France, or Spain. Read more
Focus on finds: Structure Twelve entrance incised stone
On August 6, 2019, a small decorated stone, measuring 18cm, was taken from near the eastern entrance of Structure Twelve. Read more
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
Focus on finds: beads
The Ness site has unearthed a selection of stone and amber beads, showing high-quality craftsmanship. Read more
Focus on finds: worked bone
Due to acidic soil, bone preservation is rare, with surviving pieces often in poor condition. Read more
Focus on finds: pumice
Pumice, a by-product of volcanic eruptions, played a significant role in Neolithic life, often used for its abrasive qualities. Read more
Focus on finds: bone pin
(📷 Ole Thoenies)
This strange worked bone, probably the shaft of a polished pin, was found in Structure Eight on July 22, 2019.
We say “strange” because the artefact is… Read more
Focus on finds: arrowhead
Arrowhead fragment (📷 Ole Thoenies)
The Early Bronze Age barbed-and-tanged arrowhead found in the outer passage of Structure Ten in July 2017. (📷 ORCA)
On July 9, 2019, the tip… Read more
