Ness session for young archaeologists

Orkney Young Archaeologists Club (YAC) met yesterday, when the focus was the Ness of Brodgar Neolithic complex.

The group has recently grown, with Alistair and Judy Thomson, long-time leaders of the North Wiltshire YAC branch, now bringing their experience to Orkney.

The Ness session was led by Katy Firth, education officer for the National Lottery Heritage Fund project. Members helped trial school activities Katy is developing, using creative approaches like drama and stop-motion animation to recreate scenarios about the special artefact deposits from Structure Ten, including the carved stone ball.

They also tested a new card game concept, where players collect runs of artefact cards linked to specific structures – the idea being that children learn something while also having fun!

YAC is partnering with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for the first three sessions of the year, with the local HES team hosting at the Maeshowe Visitor Centre.

The club is open to children age 8-16 and to find out more email yacorkney@gmail.com.