All the team at the Ness would like to send our congratulations to our resident geologist, who has been awarded her PhD. Dr Martha Johnson has worked at the Ness for several years now and her thesis was entitled Rock matters: A geological basis for understanding the rock at the …
Ness director Nick Card is pictured (right) in an article in the latest edition of British Archaeology magazine on the enigmatic carved stone balls of Scotland. Over 200 carved stone balls have been found in Scotland, the size of oranges and each distinctively decorated. They were made in the Neolithic, …
A 3d photogrammetry model, by Hugo Anderson-Whymark, of the carved stone ball found at the Ness of Brodgar excavation site, by Molly Bond, on August 7, 2013.
Was there an earlier name for the Ring of Brodgar? An Orcadian name that preceded the antiquarian title introduced in the mid 1800s? According to our very-own Sigurd Towrie, it seems there was – although the jury is still out on whether the name specifically referred to the stone circle …
One from our video archive – work getting under way uncovering and cleaning up Trench P in July 2010.
At the end of last season, we mentioned the tremendous work done by Jim Bright, our photogrammetry expert, and Mark Newton, who produces wonderful physical 3D models from his printer. The example shown here is the first completed physical 3D model of our main Trench P, reproduced in detail through …
With six months to go until we resume excavation, the interest shown by people looking to volunteer on site in 2019 has again been overwhelming. Site director Nick has confirmed today that while we have no more space for non-experienced diggers or volunteers, there are a few places left for …
An exhibition of ceramics inspired by the Ness of Brodgar opens in Southwark Cathedral, London, today, Monday, January 14. During the summer of 2018, Diane Eagles was one of the artists-in-residence at the dig and produced site-specific ceramics referencing the making and decorative techniques found in Neolithic Grooved Ware pots. …
An important element of the Ness of Brodgar excavations is allowing people to experience the site, the artefacts found to date and keeping everyone up to date with the latest findings. In a place like Orkney, it is especially important that the young folk are aware of their heritage so, …
In 2016, we posted an aerial image created by Professor Scott Pike, of Willamette University, using his drone flying above Trench P. Taking a series of individual aerial shots, Scott compiled them into one large image, showing, in detail, the entirety of Trench P, including Trench X – the long, …
Over the years, you will have read about many of the volunteers who make the eight-week excavation season happen. They dig, work on finds, run the shop, meet and greet visitors, do the banking and post the guidebooks, demonstrate their many crafts and skills at our Open Days, write small …
The first three of the four 2018 Ness newsletters are now available to download as PDFs.
