In 2003, the discovery of a large Neolithic building confirmed what was already suspected – there was a mass of archaeology on the south-eastern end of the Ness of Brodgar.
It soon became clear that this building, Structure One, was just part of a massive prehistoric complex that has revolutionised our understanding of Neolithic Orkney.
At its zenith, around 3100BC, this complex was made up of enormous freestanding buildings, flanked by massive stone walls, and dominated the Ness.
Twenty years of excavation revealed multiple phases of activity spanning the entire Neolithic period in Orkney, approximately 3500BC to 2300BC. Most of the excavated buildings belonged to the later major phases. Raised around 3100BC, roughly two centuries after Structure Five, the piered Structures One, Eight, Twelve, Fourteen and Twenty-One were initially abandoned around 2900BC.
Structure One was likely one of the first of the excavated structures built, while Structure Ten was the last. After the other buildings fell out of use, only Structure Ten remained before it too was eventually abandoned and monumentalised around 2500-2400BC.
Beneath these buildings were earlier constructions from previous phases, including a series of smaller, earlier piered structures.
The Ness complex was much more than a simple settlement.
The size, quality, and architecture of the buildings, not to mention the rich assemblages of artefacts recovered from them, together with evidence for tiled roofs, coloured walls, and over 1,000 examples of decorated stone all add to an overall sense of the Ness being special – a place that is, so far, unparalleled.
Although its purpose undoubtedly changed over time, during its peak period the evidence suggests the Ness complex was a gathering place – a location where people from Orkney and possibly beyond came together.
Why?
We don’t think the Ness was continuously occupied. Instead, the archaeological evidence suggests it was a place of feasting and the exchange of ideas and objects – perhaps relating to ceremonies, gatherings, rituals and celebrations important to this evidently vibrant society.
