The Standing Stones of Stenness revisited – website updates continue
The updates continue this week, with an overhaul and expansion to the pages dealing with the Stones of Stenness. Read more
Category: Standing Stones
Vestrafiold – the megalithic quarry
From at least the early 19th century, Vestrafiold was considered to be a source of the megaliths found in the Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. Why? Although several quarries were traditionally said to have produced standing stones, Vestrafiold had the proof in situ - quarried, but abandoned, megaliths scattered across the hillside. Read more
Link: Podcast puts spotlight on Neolithic megalithic structures
The Stones of Stenness. (📷 Tim Winterburn)
Melvyn Bragg is joined by Professor Vicki Cummings (University of Central Lancashire), Professor Julian Thomas (University of Manchester) and Susan Greaney (University of… Read more
The Staneyhill stone (and round about)
A solitary megalith towers over a Neolithic quarry about 350 metres to the south-east of the Staneyhill horned cairn. Read more
The central paved area and standing stone
An update to our excavation background section this week, dealing with the “central paved area” and standing stone between Structures One, Eight, Twelve and Twenty-Nine.
Click here to read.… Read more
Howe, Stromness – a hub of Neolithic and Iron Age activity
Ahead of planned agricultural improvements, the prehistoric site at Howe was excavated from 1978 until 1982 – an operation that revealed a complex series of occupation episodes spanning the Neolithic to Iron Age. Read more
Time for the old house to die? – henges and houses in the Neolithic
Over the past few weeks, we have looked at expedient architecture - the idea that some Neolithic buildings were hastily built, perhaps dismantled or simply left to become ruinous. This is not restricted to structures. Read more
The ‘Lochview’ Standing Stones
Thousands cross the Ness of Brodgar annually. But, if noticed at all, a pair of standing stones between the two stone circles probably don’t get a second glance. Read more
The Stone of Odin
Until the winter of 1814, the holed monolith stood to the north-west of the Stones of Stenness. But although its special place in the customs, traditions and folklore of the people of Orkney is well documented, we know remarkably little about the stone itself. Read more
The Barnhouse Stone
A solitary lichen-crowned megalith stands in a field about half a mile to the south-east of the Stones of Stenness. Read more
The Deepdale Stone
Head north along the road south-west of the Stenness loch and a single standing stone will be clearly visible on high ground to the north-west. Located in the parish of Stromness, the Deepdale Stone stands 1.8 metres (6ft) high. Read more
A standing stone at Maeshowe and the structure that lies beneath
The solstice, an earlier building and standing stone and Norse runes. Read more
Destruction and reconstruction at the Stones of Stenness
In December 1814, disaster struck the Stones of Stenness when a tenant farmer took it upon himself to obliterate them. Read more
The Comet Stone
On low ground 140 metres (153 yards) east of the Ring of Brodgar is the monolith now commonly known as the Comet Stone. Read more
A master of his art – Jim Richardson photographs from around the Ness
Jim Richardson visiting the Ness in 2019. (📷 Jo Bourne)
In 2012, Jim Richardson visited the Ness to capture images for a planned National Geographic feature article.
The resultant images… Read more
A natural cursus? Water, walls and walking the Ness
Previously we saw that the Dyke of Sean was perhaps once one of three — or possibly four — walls that ran the width of the Ness of Brodgar in the Neolithic. Did these define specific areas – dividing the isthmus into distinct segments of “graded” space – and controlled movement and visibility through them? Read more
Diary extra – a summertime wander around the Ring of Brodgar
With some work to do at Ness dig HQ, Sigurd decided to take a wander around the Ring of Brodgar first. Read more
The Watchstone
One of Orkney's most imposing standing stones, the Watchstone dominates the south-eastern end of the Brig o’ Brodgar – the place where the Harray and Stenness lochs meet. Read more
Pictures from the Past – The Stones of Stenness
Following our appeal for old photographs of the Ness and its environs, Pat Long sent us these early postcards showing the Stones of Stenness. Thanks Pat.
If you’ve been… Read more
Solved! The perplexing puzzle of the Stones of Stenness ‘building’
The Standing Stones of Stenness (1906).
There’s nothing like finally getting to the bottom of an irksome puzzle. In this case, the puzzle related to an old photograph of the… Read more
