The Ness of Brodgar Excavation

Ness T-shirts

The Ness of Brodgar complex

Discovered in 2003, the Ness of Brodgar site has been under excavation since 2004, revealing a massive complex of monumental Neolithic buildings dating from the centuries around 3000BC.

Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the Ness of Brodgar’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.

These have made the Ness one of the most important archaeological excavations in the world today, changing our understanding of the culture and beliefs of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.

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.

The discovery of the Ness complex
About the Site
Structure Thirty featured image

Structures

Structure Thirty

Structure Thirty in relation to the other piered buildings in Trench P. The large curving wall face belonging to Structure Thirty protrudes from the edge of Trench P to the… Read more
Courtesy National Library of Scotland

Further Afield

Vestrafiold – the enclosure

On the lower slopes of Vestrafiold, south-west of the megalithic quarry are the remains of a large, possible prehistoric, enclosure. Covering an area of around seven acres (2.8 hectares), the oval feature was defined by a “wall” of upright flagstones running around its perimeter. Little is known about the site, which, in terms of construction, “is completely unlike any other enclosure in Orkney”. Read more