Spirits of the Standing Stones
The early antiquarians who documented Orkney's ancient monuments paid little attention to the local beliefs surrounding the sites. 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.
A selection of the Ness of Brodgar’s finest on display in Orkney Museum
The Orkney Museum is playing host to some of the Ness of Brodgar’s finest artefacts this summer - most of which were part of last year's World of Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum. Read more
Wild things? Further research on the prehistory of red deer in Orkney
A joint research project has explored the origin of red deer in Neolithic Orkney. But more questions than answers remain. Read more
Vestrafiold – the enclosure
On the lower slopes of Vestrafiold, south-west of the megalithic quarry are the remains of a large, possible prehistoric, enclosure. Covering an area of around seven acres (2.8 hectares), the oval feature was defined by a “wall” of upright flagstones running around its perimeter.
Little is known about the site, which, in terms of construction, “is completely unlike any other enclosure in Orkney”. Read more
Vestrafiold – the fake horned cairn
Lying 50 metres east of the megalith quarry on Vestrafiold is an oval mound that was suggested to be the remains of a very poorly preserved stalled cairn. Excavation, however, revealed otherwise. Read more
Ness colour inspires new Neolithic research project
One of the “painted” stones from the Ness of Brodgar, showing the use of red and yellow pigment. (📷 ORCA)An example of one of the coloured pot sherds from the… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – ornithological outings
This week’s photographic selection from site director Nick Card.
… Read more
Vestrafiold – the megalithic quarry
From at least the early 19th century, Vestrafiold was considered to be a source of the megaliths found in the Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. Why? Although several quarries were traditionally said to have produced standing stones, Vestrafiold had the proof in situ - quarried, but abandoned, megaliths scattered across the hillside. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – blue skies and still waters
This week’s photographic selection from site director Nick Card.… Read more
Halykirk – dolmen or stalled cairn?
As regular readers will have noted, 19th century antiquarians were very keen to find evidence of dolmens in Orkney. Haleykirk/Helyakirk/Halykirk/Holykirk lies about a quarter of a mile to the south-east of the megalithic quarries on Vestrafiold, on the hill of Cruaday. Read more
Field visit and fuel burning: the ongoing story of Structure Eight
Sarah Jane Haston is coming to the end of the second year of her MRes programme looking at the charred plant remains from Structure Eight. Read more
Palaeoecological investigation of Brodgar’s past landscapes
An update on Sue Dyke's palaeoecological investigations around the Ness of Brodgar. Read more
Wednesday wildlife – encounter with a decidedly co-operative otter
This week’s photographic selection from site director Nick Card.Nick’s no stranger to the otters around the Ness, but this one appeared particularly keen to put on a good show for… Read more
The Ness of Brodgar from above
Structure Twelve supervisor Jim Rylatt is in Orkney at present, juggling hundreds of contexts to piece together a phased timeline for the building.
On one of the few reasonably pleasant… Read more
Link: Ramblings – stone circles, brochs and a west coast wander
Three Ramblings programmes from the BBC, featuring Clare Balding in Orkney.
High Winds and Hail: Featuring Martin Gray.
To the Ring of Brodgar: Featuring Sandra Miller.
Hiking… Read more
Wednesday wildlife – Brodgar birds
This week’s selection of photographs from site director Nick Card.
… Read more
