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
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.
Focus on finds: haematite
Excavations revealed the use of coloured pigments in pottery and walls, specifically using haematite for red hues. Read more
From the Art Hut – a large expression of colour
By Jeanne Bouza Rose
For me, the mystery of the Ness is the story of what the people were doing there.
During all the years I worked at the dig… Read more
Geology matters 3: Working stone
The final article in a series from our resident geologist Dr Martha Johnson. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – birds around Brodgar
This week’s selection of photographs from the camera of dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Introducing ceramics 9 – the bridge and the Bronze Age
The last part of our series is rooted in ceramics research but leads down a twisting, and surprising path. We travel from the Bronze Age to Victorian times, meeting along the way an archaeological villain, a naval tragedy, a world-beating iron bridge and a careful and underrated antiquarian. Read more
Stories in Stones – 2020 Orkney Science Festival Talk
In this talk for the 2020 Orkney Science Festival, Professor Mark Edmonds considers some of the stone artefacts from the Ness – including our carved stone ball – their… Read more
The Science of the Ness – 2020 Orkney Science Festival talk
In this talk for the 2020 Orkney Science Festival, site director Nick Card outlines the scientific techniques involved in excavation and post-excavation work and is joined by two colleagues… Read more
Geology matters 2: Orkney rocks!
The second in a series of articles from our resident geologist Dr Martha Johnson. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – osprey over the Harray loch
A few more photographs of the wild residents of the Ness from the camera of dig director Nick Card.… Read more
Introducing ceramics 8 – the dimpled-base experiments
Dimple bases are basal sherds, with finger-impressed dimples on the interior surface, found on Early and Middle Iron Age sites right around the Atlantic coast. Read more
Geology matters 1: Why rock?
The first in a series of articles from our resident geologist Dr Martha Johnson. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – swanning around…
The swans of the Stenness and Harray lochs feature in dig director Nick Card’s weekly showcase of the fauna around the Ness of Brodgar excavation site.… Read more
A ‘Neolithical Mystery Tour’ of Orkney
National Geographic photojournalist Jim Richardson has published a “storymap” of Neolithic Orkney, giving readers a glimpse into life 5,000 years ago.
The storymap – described by Jim as a “marriage… Read more
