Contrary to what many people think, the Ness is NOT a project paid for by business or large government grants.
Almost 80 per cent of our funding comes from public donations – especially during the summer dig seasons.
The length of these excavation seasons was not controlled by the Orcadian weather, personnel limitations, site access or any other physical constraint — it was simply a function of available funding.
Although fieldwork has now ended, we have moved into our post-excavation phase, during which raising funds will remain important because archaeological analysis is expensive.
Despite the involvement of volunteers and students from around the world and in-kind support, a dig season costs, including post-excavation, over £200,000 every year.
Sample costs
| Sheet of waterproof A3 drawing film (300 per season) | £1.15/$1.50 each |
| Archive acid-free storage box (100 per year) | £3.25/$4.50 each |
| Trowel | £14/$18 each |
| Basic environmental sample processing (500 per year) | £15/$20 each |
| Slide manufacture for micromorph analysis | £70/$100 each |
| Professional supervisor for excavation, survey or on-site finds processing (12 required each year) | £135/$180 per day |
| Specialist analysis (ranging from) | £150-300 ($200-400) per day |
| Plant hire (circa) | £250/$330 per season |
| Radiocarbon dates (circa) | £300/$400 each |
| On-site stationery, drawing film etc (circa) | £1,200/$1,600 per season |
| Portacabin hire | £1,200/$1,600 per season |
| Viewing platform for visitors | £2,100/$2,795 per season |
| Overall, the excavations cost (circa) | £2,500/$3,325 per day |
| Annual interim report – research, writing, production | £12,000/$16,000 |
The Ness of Brodgar Trust and American Friends of the Ness of Brodgar charities were set-up to raise the funds without which the excavation simply would not happen.
- Contact us if you want to discuss corporate sponsorship, either in kind or financial. We are always glad of your support.
- Contact us too if you want to discuss legacy-giving.
