TV spot for Ness otters
Each summer season the Ness of Brodgar otters are as intriqued watching the archaeologists working on site as we are watching them.
Tonight they feature on the latest episode of… 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.
Orkney’s prehistory – the Bronze Age
Our brief guide to Orkney’s prehistory has been updated, with a new page outlining the Bronze Age in the islands.
Click here to read.… Read more
Swans, otters and the ‘cattieface’ is back – Wildlife Wednesday
Dig director Nick Card’s weekly showcase of the birds and animals living around the Ness of Brodgar excavation site.
Click on any image for a larger version.… Read more
Evidence of woven textiles confirmed at the Ness
We can confirm today that we have evidence of a woven Neolithic textile at the Ness of Brodgar – only the second example found in Scotland.
We don’t physically have… Read more
Ness to take centre stage in new Neolithic animated movie
The Ness of Brodgar looks set to take play a major role in a new animated feature film set in Neolithic Orkney.
Lugi: the Brodgar Boy is the brainchild of… Read more
Brodgar wildlife on Wednesday
Wednesday is upon us yet again, so we’ve got another selection of wildlife photographs from Ness dig director Nick Card.
As usual, click on any image for a larger version.… 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
Evolution of an excavation – the Ness dig year by year
At the time of writing, it is just over 17 years since the discovery of the Ness of Brodgar complex and 2020 will be the first time since 2003 that… Read more
Archive views – around the trenches in 2007
A cache of long-lost photographs from 2007, showing Trench J, (which was re-opened and extended in 2018), Trench M (opened to examine the extent of the “Great Wall of Brodgar“)… Read more
Wednesday’s wildlife from the Ness
It’s Wednesday again, so we have a selection of the past week’s images from dig director Nick Card. It’s a smaller gallery this week due to the atrocious weather we’ve… Read more
Ness flanked by lochs in prehistory? Surveys suggest otherwise
The Ness of Brodgar sits at the centre of a massive natural "cauldron" formed by the hills of the surrounding landscape. Today, it is accentuated on either side by the freshwater Loch of Harray and the saltwater Loch of Stenness - but that was not always the case. 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
Birds around Brodgar
Another selection of photographs from dig director Nick Card.
Click on any photograph for a larger version.… Read more
