Dig Diary – That’s it over for another year. See you in 2024!

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 (6:17 PM)

Paul, Allyson and Estella stacking tyres by the side of Trench P. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

Day Thirty-Three
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

That’s all folks – the 2022 excavation season at the Ness of Brodgar is now officially over.

Well, not quite. We’ve got two days of covering the trenches ahead – firstly laying the protective covers and then placing thousands of tyres on top to secure them.

Although we’ll still be working, the site is now closed to visitors until, fundraising permitting, we return in 2024.

But if you didn’t manage along to the site, fear not. Trench J supervisor Paul is working on another 3d model, which will be posted very soon.

It’s a big one, covering all the archaeology in Trench P – the first of the entire trench since 2019.

Today was spent finalising dig paperwork, context sheets, plans, section drawing and all the rest that comes along with a research excavation.

The first sandbag chain of the day - in Structure Ten. (📷 Sigurd Towrie) — The first sandbag chain of the day – in Structure Ten. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

While this was taking place, work to prepare for tomorrow’s big cover-up began. Rainwater-filled tyres shifted to trench edges, covers dragged out and prepared and most of the sandbags carted back in place to protect the more fragile areas of archaeology.

There’s no doubt it’s been hard work. But was done with great cheer – which helps immensely.

Ian, Phoenix and Ceci get the tyres rolling. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

Lena and Tristan moving sandbags into Structure One. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

But although excavation is now complete, post-excavation work continues so keep checking the website for regular news and updates.

We hope to be back on site in 2024, but, as always, that will depend on our fundraising. If you can help by donating to the Ness, it will be much appreciated. As we always say, every penny helps.

Today's meet-and-greeters Rose (from New York) and Mike (from Lincoln) with shop superstar Emma pictured centre. (📷 Sigurd Towrie) — Today’s meet-and-greeters Rose (from New York) and Mike (from Lincoln) with shop superstar Emma pictured centre. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

The end-of-season finds team. From the left: Hana, Jane, Stephanie, Megan, Anne (finds supervisor), Rosalind and Sarah. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

Site director Nick would like to thank all of this year’s Ness team for their hard work – and that means everyone, diggers, students, meet-and-greeters, Emma in the shop and the finds crew.

We would also like to thank everyone who visited the site, donated, bought from the shop, sponsored-a-square and generally helped make the 2023 season on the Ness of Brodgar another one to remember.

And we dearly hope that we’ll be back to do it all again next year – our final season of excavation!