Polished Stone Axe
Polished stone axe from Structure Fourteen.
- Small Find no 15223
- Structure Fourteen,Trench P
- Found August 15, 2012
This is one of the most beautiful objects found at the Ness of Brodgar, earning it the by-name of the “Sky Axe” for its blue background and white clouds in the gneiss from which it was created. Geologist Dr Martha Johnson has suggested the rock itself comes from the north-west Highlands, perhaps Sutherland.
Thinking through the sourcing of raw materials is fascinating within the context of life 5,000 years ago. Who discovered the rock? How did it come to Orkney? Was it a gift? Was it a trade object? Did it arrive as a raw block of rock or a made object? And why was it deposited where it was in Structure Fourteen of the Ness?
If you’re excited by these questions, you may find some answers here.
The ‘Butterfly Stone’
(Picture: Antonia Thomas)
- Decorated stone slabs
- Small Finds 16189, 16190 and 18521
- Structure Twelve, northern annex, Trench P
- Found July 24, 2013 and August 20, 2013
These three decorated slabs were found in July and August 2013 and the tale of their discovery is here. They are remarkable pieces displaying a panoply of designs.
The three fragments were part of a large slab that was almost certainly an orthostat removed from Structure Twelve. The base had a light fracture indicating that force had been applied to the top to snap it off at its (probably earthfast) base.
Sandstone bas-relief carved stone triangle
Decorated stone. (Antonia Thomas)
- Small Find no 15961
- Structure Eight/Central midden area, Trench P
- Found July 30, 2013
This another very special piece from the Ness and you can find out more from decorated stone specialist Dr Antonia Thomas’s diary entry here.
Carved Stone Ball
Carved Stone Ball (Hugo Anderson-Whymark)
- Small Find no 17596
- Structure 10, Trench P
- Found August 7, 2013
Camptonite macehead
Camptonite macehead.
- Small Find no 27680
- Trench X
- Found July 27, 2016
We have found various maceheads at the Ness of Brodgar and here you will find out a great deal more about them. Follow the various headings for Chronology, Manufacture, Raw Materials, Significance and Types.
Have a look too at this diary entry to see the delight on a digger’s face after making a significant find and being the first person in approximately 5,000 years to connect with the hand that placed the piece in the Ness of Brodgar.
