Dig Diary – The covers are off. And back on again
The first of the covers starts to come off Trench T. (Sigurd Towrie)
Day Two
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
We completed the herculean task of removing the protective covers from Trenches P and T today – only to put some of them back at the end of the day.
Why? I hear you ask.
As always we have to point the finger at the weather forecast.
It’s looking grim overnight with heavy rain on its way and we need to protect the buildings’ floor deposits. The interiors of the structures that saw the light of day today for the first time since 2019 were already quite wet and we don’t want them getting any worse. These floor deposits are vital for unpicking the story of the Ness.
Chris Gee bailing out water from Structure Eight. (Jo Bourne)
After quite a dry spell over the past month or two, we had rain last week and that meant pools of standing water (some quite substantial) lying on top of most of the protective covers.
These needed to be mopped before each layer of plastic could be removed, slowing down the opening process. The rather breezy conditions also didn’t help. Wrestling with the massive plastic sheets to get them out of the trench is hard work at the best of times.
The central paved area and standing stone as the covers come off. (Sigurd Towrie)
But we got there and are all set for the site to open to the public tomorrow. After its three-year “hibernation” Structure Twenty-Seven looked resplendent – although a little damp – in the summer sunshine, as did Eight and One.
The view through Structure Eight’s entrance. (Jo Bourne)
Structure Eight revealed. (Sigurd Towrie)
Other tasks included removing the plant life that have taken root around the trench edges in the three years since they were last open. That will continue tomorrow and, weather permitting, we’ll soon have the site spruced up and the stunning archaeology looking its best for what we hope will be a bumper year for visitors.
Once the cleaning is done it’s down to excavation, so keep an eye on the website for updates. The Ness site never fails to impress – and surprise – and we’re sure this year will be no different.
Our site tours begin tomorrow at 11am, with another two at 1pm and 3pm. Look forward to seeing you there!
Probably best check the forecast first though. If we’ve got a day of torrential rain on the horizon that could scupper our plans.
Trench T. (Jo Bourne)
