Video: Death and burial in Neolithic Orkney (Part One)
The first part of Professor Colin Richard's talk for the UHI Archaeology Institute's Tombs of the Isles project. 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.
Video – Circling Structure Ten
Another video from Ness supervisor Jim Rylatt, this time focusing on Structure Ten – the last major construction on site and built around 2900BC.… Read more
Wednesday wildlife returns…
After its summer break, we’re back with a new series of Wednesday Wildlife – a weekly gallery of photographs taken around the Ness of Brodgar by excavation director Nick Card.… Read more
Explore Structure Five and the ‘Great Wall’ with new 3d model of Trench J
Another new 3d model, this time of Trench J and featuring Structure Five and the northern boundary wall – the earliest structures revealed on site.
Trench J was the first… Read more
Time Team geophysicist hails Ness discovery the highlight of his career
Geophysicist John Gater describes the discovery of the Ness of Brodgar as "the main highlight of his career" in the new edition of Time Team's monthly online news. Read more
Video – Drone view of Structure Eight
Another of Jim Rylatt's drone videos, this time focusing on Structure Eight, the longest of the piered buildings excavated on site. Read more
The updates begin…
With the 2023 excavation over, it’s time to start updating the website material to take into account this season’s finds.
We’ve started with the easy ones, which are now available… Read more
2024 dig dates set – the final season of excavation at the Ness
August 2023: Excavation in Trench T. (📷 Doug Plummer)The dates for next year’s excavation – the final season of fieldwork at the Ness – have been set.Provided our fundraising plans… Read more
Trench P 3d model in Sketchfab’s top ten
We were delighted to hear today that Paul Durdin’s 3d model of Trench P – created in August 2023 – is in Sketchfab’s top ten this week.
If you’ve not… Read more
Video – Structure One from above
Another short video from Jim Rylatt, this time a 360-degree flyaround of Structure One, the first building found on site back in March 2003.Note that the walls at the building’s… Read more
Video – Drone flyaround of Trench J
A short video of Trench J from Jim Rylatt, showing Structure Five and the northern boundary wall. Read more
Drone photos from across the site
A superb selection of drone photos from Structure Eight team member Tom O’Brien.Click on any image for an enlargement.… Read more
Diary Extra – The cover-up begins…
The work to start covering over the trenches for the winter got under way this morning and although we didn’t manage to complete all the structures, we made a great… Read more
New 3d model of Trench P and all its structures
Wander virtually around Trench P with the latest 3d model from Trench J supervisor, Paul, created using drone photographs by Professor Scott Pike. Read more
Dig Diary – That’s it over for another year. See you in 2024!
That’s all folks – the 2022 excavation season at the Ness of Brodgar is now officially over. Read more
Dig Diary – Another deposit of wood, this time around Structure Twenty
Nick J. excavating around the timber deposit to the north of Structure Twenty’s exposed pier. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)Day Thirty-TwoTuesday, August 15, 2023Kristina excavating the pit inside Structure Eight’s northern entrance.… Read more
