Maeshowe – the mummies, the giant and the mound-dweller…
A look at what may have lain behind the 1861 newspaper claim of two mummies and a giant in Maeshowe. Read more
From 2004, 20 years of excavation on the Ness of Brodgar revealed a huge complex of monumental Neolithic buildings from the centuries around 3000BC.
Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the site’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.
These made the Ness one of the most important archaeological sites in the world today, changing our understanding of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.
Fieldwork ended in 2024 and the focus is now on the post-excavation analysis of the data gathered. This will lead to full publication with much more available online.
In addition, we will continue working with local communities and schools to develop educational and other resources.
The project is mainly funded through the generosity of the public through our two supporting charities, the Ness of Brodgar Trust and the American Friends.
Full excavation report for 2009 season available to download
The next in our series of Data Structure Reports (DSRs) is now available, with the 2009 document now free to download. 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
Ness of Brodgar at the North Ronaldsay Science Festival
As part of the 2025 North Ronaldsay Science Festival, site director Nick Card gave an online talk on Saturday afternoon. Read more
Young people get hands-on experience of creating Neolithic jewellery
Young people from the Connect project have been getting a taste of the Neolithic as part of a Historic Environment Scotland-funded project 'Under the Surface'. Read more
Fruitless and forgotten – the 1861 excavation inside the Ring of Brodgar
For many, many years, the uncertainty surrounding what, if anything, lay inside the Ring of Brodgar has been put down to the fact the interior is unexcavated. But now, it seems, that is not the case. Read more
20 years of discoveries – Nick at the Current Archaeology Live! conference
Jo Bourne's report from the Current Archaeology Live! conference in London at the weekend, where site director Nick was the keynote speaker. 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
100 years on: the discovery of the ‘Brodgar Stone’ at Ness complex site
100 years ago this week the 'Brodgar Stone' was found - a taste of things to come. Read more
Three-week internship examining the Ness of Brodgar’s stone discs
Some thoughts on the Ness of Brodgar's stone discs from intern Maria van de Fliert. Read more
A pot is for storage and cooking…right?
Jan Blatchford on her surprising discovery - a cordon running across the base of a pot's interior. Read more
Glaitness primary pupils put the spotlight on Orkney’s archaeology
Among our many site visitors last summer were pupils from Glaitness Primary School in Kirkwall. Here they share details of their 'Archaeology in Orkney' project. Read more
At the cutting edge in Orkney – axes from the Ness of Brodgar
Post-doctoral researcher Dr Patrick Pederson on his work with the Ness of Brodgar axes. Read more
Burnt bone in Structure Eight and beyond – adding fuel to the fires?
Jackson Clark on his MRes findings from examining the burnt bone from Structure Eight. Read more
Recount sees some t-shirt colours and sizes back in stock
We've got a few colours'sizes that had previously sold out. Snap one up for Valentine's Day. Read more
Link: When Orkney flexes, nature bends – a world first over the Ness?
Photographer Kieran Dodds shares the story of a remarkable image showing a triple rainbow over the Ness. Read more
2008 excavation report available to download
The next in our series of excavation reports is now available, with the 2008 document free to download here. Read more
Link: Danish archaeologists propose Late Neolithic volcanic eruption turned the skies dark over northern Europe
Archaeologists and climate scientists from the University of Copenhagen have proposed a large volcanic eruption around 2900BC “made the sun disappear throughout Northern Europe”. 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
Capturing the essence of excavation in paint
A selection of Jeanne Rose's trench-side sketches-in-paint from the 2024 dig season. Read more
