Category: Excavation

Clea and Sarah Jane at work in Structure One this afternoon. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)Day FourThursday, July 6, 2023What a glorious day.And how good to hear the gentle sounds of trowels… Read more

A selection of site photographs from today – hampered somewhat by the bright, contrasty sunshine. Click on any image for an enlargement.… Read more

Day Three Wednesday, July 5, 2023 The excavation site opened to the public today and we are delighted to say they turned up in droves. Over… Read more

A few photographs from today. Click on any image for an enlargement.… Read more

Day Two Tuesday, July 4, 2023 We did it! All the structures, in all three trenches, are uncovered ready for a good spruce up tomorrow ahead of excavation resuming. This… Read more

A chain of diggers and volunteers removing the tyres from Trench P. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)Day OneMonday, July 3, 2023I’m sure we say it every year but this time it seems… Read more

Where has the time gone! We’re back on site tomorrow with archaeologists and students from all over the world gathering for another seven weeks of fieldwork. As always, our first… Read more

The dominance of cattle at the Ness is in contrast with the picture elsewhere in Orkney, where sheep were most common. That cattle were considered significant by Neolithic farmers is clear from bone deposits that reflected the special treatment given to selected remains. Read more

In a month’s time the covers come off again at the Ness and the penultimate season of excavation will begin. We’ll update you on our plans for the 2023 season… Read more