Not as early as once thought – reassessment confirms suspected Knap of Howar timeline
A new paper on the Knap of Howar has confirmed that the two Neolithic structures are much later than once thought. Read more
Category: Further Afield
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
Vinquoy chambered cairn, Eday
We begin a series of posts looking at the Neolithic in Eday with the Vinquoy chambered cairn. Read more
Timber, stone and grain – the Braes of Ha’Breck settlement, Wyre
Between 2007 and 2013, excavation by Dr Antonia Thomas and Dan Lee, of the UHI Archaeology Institute, revealed a cluster of five early Neolithic buildings at the Braes of Ha’Breck, Wyre. Read more
Was there more to Neolithic ‘dressers’ than just a set of shelves?
In the years since Skara Brae’s excavation, there has been much debate over the role, and significance, of the so-called “dressers” that have become icons for the site. Read more
Isbister cairn – the human remains
Isbister was one of the few Orcadian chambered cairns found to contain human remains – in this case, in such quantities that it was declared “the largest assemblage … from any single British Neolithic site.” Read more
The Isbister stalled cairn – South Ronaldsay’s ‘Tomb of the Eagles’
The first part of an article looking at the Isbister stalled cairn in South Ronaldsay, better known today as the Tomb of the Eagles. Read more
The Knowe of Lairo – remodelled to emulate Maeshowe or something completely different?
This week we're looking at the Knowe of Lairo in Rousay - another enigmatic Neolithic chambered cairn unlike any other in Orkney. But what was going on? Read more
Link: New research suggests differing mortuary practices in Rousay cairn
A new paper looking at the bone assemblage from the Rousay’s Knowe of Rowiegar suggests that human remains were placed at different stages of decomposition in a more complex, muti-stage process for handling the dead. Read more
Video: Time Team at the Knowe of Swandro
Time Team's John Gater at the Knowe of Swandro dig in Rousay. Read more
Egmondshowe and the funerary landscape around Elsness, Sanday
Unpicking the details of a potential chambered cairn in Sanday and the huge barrow cemetery surrounding it. Read more
Quoyness chambered cairn, Sanday
We're back out and about today with a look at the Maeshowe-type Quoyness chambered cairn in Sanday, Orkney. Read more
The Dwarfie Stane – talking Trolld, echoes and cliffside caves
The second in our of a two-part look at the Dwarfie Stane in Hoy. As well as finally meeting our dwarf, it considers the acoustics of the area and surveys of the Dwarfie Hamars. Read more
The Dwarfie Stane – ‘one of the wonders of the Orkney Islands’
The first of a two-part article looking at the Dwarfie Stane in Hoy - said to be Britain’s only example of a rock-cut prehistoric tomb. Read more
Donated Skara Brae excavation documents bound for Orkney archives
A collection of documents relating to the excavation of Skara Brae in the late 1920s is bound for the Orkney Library and Archives. Read more
Toftsness Neolithic settlement, Sanday
Toftsness was the second Sanday settlement investigation in the 1980s - revealing a domestic and funerary landscape spanning millennia. Read more
Pool Neolithic settlement, Sanday
In the 1980s, two Neolithic settlements were excavated in the island of Sanday. Today we briefly look at Pool on the island’s south-western coast. Read more
Link: Skara Brae’s updated statement of significance published
Historic Environment Scotland's updated statement of significance for Skara Brae is available to download. Read more
Taversoe Tuick – the subterranean outer chamber
The final part of our Taversoe Tuick series, this time looking at the subterranean outer chamber. Read more
Taversoe Tuick – its double-decker design and Bronze Age remodelling
In the fourth post, we ponder why the structure incorporated two chambers and look at Bronze Age modifications to the Taversoe Tuick. Read more
