Dig Diary – Ceiridwen adds to her tally with another decorated stone
Day Forty
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe we now have just two days left in the trenches before the infilling begins next week.
At this stage of the game, it’s all about finalising the work done and making sure all the records are correct and complete. A major part of this is the site photographs.
It’s not just a case of grab a camera and fire away. All the buildings must be looking their absolute best before the drone is sent skywards.
This led to a busy day as the site-wide cleaning operation got under way. Structure Twenty-Seven looked particularly resplendent this morning when the Trench T team headed across to Trench P to lend a hand there.
Structure Twelve, Twenty-Six, Thirty, One and the central paved area are now looking glorious, with all the detritus carefully removed and the floor surfaces given a good freshen up.
The drone was due to be launched for a major photographic session as we headed homewards this afternoon. As soon as we get the resulting photographs, we’ll post them online.
Although the majority of the diggers were involved in the clean-up operation today, there were still a few quite remarkable finds.
Outside the “megadrain” opening in Structure Thirty-Four, Ceiridwen unearthed yet another stunning example of Neolithic incised decoration.
A small stone slab featuring bands of incised designs on both sides was found at the “entrance” to this feature. We’re well used to rock art at the Ness, but today’s example led to another chorus of oooohs when it emerged.
Meanwhile, over in Structure One’s north-eastern recess, was a beautifully crafted stone chisel. The surface of the implement had been ground to shape and polished to create a smooth, flat surface.
There is some damage to its ends, presumably through use, and the presence of a shiny area towards the rear suggests the tool had once been hafted before being deposited in One.
We’ll end this brief report with news that a possible hearth has been found in the sondage investigating Structure Twenty – one of Ten’s predecessors.
Only one hearthstone has been revealed but the material within does look like the ashy deposits we’d expect to find in a fireplace. It’s in the correct place for a hearth and is possibly one of two we’d expect to see in building of Twenty’s size.
The HES World Heritage Site rangers help Sigurd and Roy with our daily site tours, taking turns to give the 3pm excursion. Today we bid farewell to ranger Sandra, who, having delivered the first site tour many moons ago, delivered her final one this afternoon.
Our thanks to Sandra for many years of assistance.
A reminder that if you are still wanting to visit the Ness, you’ve got until Friday afternoon to do so. The site closes to the public, for the final time, at 4.30pm on August 16, so, if you can, do head to Stenness before then.
