Dig Diary – over 1,400 visitors on site for final Ness open day
We had 1,425 visitors (give or take a few) on site for the final Ness open day and it was as busy down at the Stenness school. Read more
Category: Excavation
Dig Diary – six buildings represented in one square metre outside Structure Twelve
Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse, the tangled biography of Structure Twelve and its predecessors grew more complex again today. Read more
Dig Diary – clay artefact’s decoration reignites our sense of awe and wonder
Even the most jaded digger was left slack-jawed this morning when a tiny clay object reignited the sense of awe and wonder that comes with a truly spectacular find. Read more
Dig Diary – more evidence of a decommissioning feast for Structure Twenty-Seven?
Outside Structure Twenty-Seven’s north-western corner the animal bone is still coming up in copious quantities. Read more
Diary extra – drone shots of Structure Twenty-Seven
A selection of this afternoon's photographs from Tom O'Brien. Read more
Dig Diary – the earlier buildings just keep coming!
A blustery, but productive, day where the theme was early buildings. Read more
Dig Diary – foundation deposits, decorated stones and a truly spectacular replica axe
We begin today with the story of an axe. A rather beautiful polished stone axe fashioned from a rock we know came from Birsay. Read more
Dig Diary – discovery in Trench Z suggests the ‘Great Wall’ extended to the south-east
A day of incredible finds, not least evidence that suggests the northern boundary wall did indeed extend south-eastwards. Read more
Dig Diary – bone pin in Structure Thirty-Four a rare find for the Ness
The end of another busy day on site, and as we approach the end of week five, it really is a case of heads down as we all aim to achieve the goals for the final season of fieldwork. Read more
Dig Diary – what a difference a day makes!
Back on site this morning, after being away on Tuesday, dig director Nick was both amazed and delighted with the progress made during his brief absence - not just in Structure Twenty-Seven but all across the site. Read more
Diary extra – 3d model of Structure Five’s round-bottomed pot
Paul Durdin’s in-situ model of the round-bottomed, ceramic vessel found in Structure Five’s northern extension on Monday. Read more
Dig Diary – post-hole in Structure Ten, while Twelve produces drain three!
A busy day on a site bathed in glorious sunshine. At last! Read more
Dig Diary – making incredible progress in Structure Twenty-Seven
A marvellous start to week five, with great finds and incredible progress across the site. Read more
Dig Diary – Emma’s second decorated fragment, a fine piece of pottery and a very special visitor
A site tour for diggers, another fine, decorated fragment from Structure One and a substantial pot sherd from Trench T. A great end to excavation week four. Read more
