Link: ‘Neolithic site in Orkney to be reburied after 20 years of excavation’
An article from The Observer looking ahead to the final season of excavation at the Ness and the reasons for backfilling the site. Read more
From 2004, 20 years of excavation on the Ness of Brodgar revealed a huge complex of monumental Neolithic buildings from the centuries around 3000BC.
Without parallel in Atlantic Europe, the site’s three hectares are filled with huge stone structures containing spectacular finds.
These made the Ness one of the most important archaeological sites in the world today, changing our understanding of Neolithic Orkney and shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe.
Fieldwork ended in 2024 and the focus is now on the post-excavation analysis of the data gathered. This will lead to full publication with much more available online.
In addition, we will continue working with local communities and schools to develop educational and other resources.
The project is mainly funded through the generosity of the public through our two supporting charities, the Ness of Brodgar Trust and the American Friends.
Mary Beard opens Ness exhibition at the end of ‘eye-opening’ Orkney trip
Our exhibition at the Orkney Museum was officially opened this evening by the renowned classicist, presenter and author Professor Dame Mary Beard. Read more
Digging into henges and henging…
The Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness have been classed as "henges" since the term was coined in the 1930s. But are they really? And what exactly is a henge? Read more
Spectacular Ness summer exhibition opens at the Orkney Museum
After months of work and preparation, our new exhibition opens in the Orkney Museum tomorrow, Saturday. Read more
Our new book is out now…
Ness of Brodgar: Past, Present & Future is available to buy now. Although produced to accompany our summer exhibition, it has been written to stand alone - something to enjoy even if you can’t make it to Orkney. Read more
The Dwarfie Stane – talking Trolld, echoes and cliffside caves
The second in our of a two-part look at the Dwarfie Stane in Hoy. As well as finally meeting our dwarf, it considers the acoustics of the area and surveys of the Dwarfie Hamars. Read more
The Dwarfie Stane – ‘one of the wonders of the Orkney Islands’
The first of a two-part article looking at the Dwarfie Stane in Hoy - said to be Britain’s only example of a rock-cut prehistoric tomb. Read more
And they’re off – operation to move exhibition artefacts gets under way
Work to move our material to the Orkney Museum, ahead of the May 4 opening of this summer’s exhibition, has started. Read more
Donated Skara Brae excavation documents bound for Orkney archives
A collection of documents relating to the excavation of Skara Brae in the late 1920s is bound for the Orkney Library and Archives. Read more
2005 excavation DSR available to download
The latest in our series of Data Structure Reports (DSR) is now available, with the 2005 document free to download. Read more
Pottery residue analysis earns researcher Royal Archaeological Institute prize for science
PhD candidate Julia Becher, who is analysing lipids on Ness of Brodgar pottery sherds, has been awarded the Royal Archaeological Institute prize for science on the archaeology of Britain and Ireland. Read more
Structure Twelve water trough adds to the evidence of food preparation
Jim Rylatt and Jan Blatchford on one particular discovery in Structure Twelve. Read more
Toftsness Neolithic settlement, Sanday
Toftsness was the second Sanday settlement investigation in the 1980s - revealing a domestic and funerary landscape spanning millennia. Read more
Ness features in Philip Hughes exhibition at Pier Arts Centre
Artwork created at the Ness of Brodgar will be among that on display at Philip Hughes’ forthcoming exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre. Read more
Ness of Brodgar award success recognised in Scottish Parliament
The Ness of Brodgar has been congratulated in the Scottish Parliament for its success in the 2024 Current Archaeology Awards. Read more
Pool Neolithic settlement, Sanday
In the 1980s, two Neolithic settlements were excavated in the island of Sanday. Today we briefly look at Pool on the island’s south-western coast. Read more
