Rhind Lectures 2020: Number 3
An everyday story of country folk?
In this year’s Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s annual Rhind lectures, Dr Alison Sheridan is bringing together the most up-to-date research to show… 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.
Textile evidence from the Ness among Scotland’s ‘most groundbreaking archaeological discoveries’ of 2020
Evidence of a woven Neolithic textile found during post-excavation work at the Ness has been named one of Scotland’s “most groundbreaking discoveries of 2020”.
The Covid pandemic has had a… Read more
Rhind Lectures 2020: Number 2
The Big Picture and Regional Narratives
In this year’s Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s annual Rhind lectures, Dr Alison Sheridan is bringing together the most up-to-date research to show… Read more
Rhind Lectures 2020: Number 1
Neolithic Scotland: Changing Perceptions, New Approaches, Plethora of Data, and Contested Narratives
In this year’s Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s annual Rhind lectures, Dr Alison Sheridan is bringing together… Read more
2020 Rhind lectures focus on Neolithic Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s annual Rhind lectures begin tomorrow, Sunday, and this year the focus is firmly on the Neolithic.
From December 13 until December 18, Dr Alison… Read more
Scalloped-rim pots from Trench T – an early Christmas present at Ness HQ
By Roy Towers
It’s nearly Christmas and many of us will be looking forward to exciting and enigmatic parcels of presents to open. At Ness HQ we have unwrapped an… Read more
Maeshowe – historic additions, incursions and the Norse runes
The earliest account of Maeshowe is found within the pages of the Orkneyinga saga, which says Viking warriors sought shelter in the chamber in 1153. Read more
A hearth in Maeshowe?
Back in 2016, a nineteenth century sketch had us pondering whether there might be more to Maeshowe than we see today. Read more
Glowing book review in ‘Current Archaeology’ magazine
If you had any doubts about purchasing a copy our new volume, The Ness of Brodgar: As it Stands, then you should read the glowing review in the latest edition… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – selkie sunbathers
This week’s photographs of the wildlife around the Ness of Brodgar from dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Covid uncertainty remains over 2021 Ness excavation season
With 2020 drawing to a close, we have been receiving queries from visitors and interested volunteers about the 2021 excavation season.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing restrictions surrounding Covid-19, we… Read more
Maeshowe and the winter solstice
With its south-westerly facing entrance, Maeshowe’s best known attribute is its orientation towards the setting sun around midwinter. 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
