Talking rubbish – midden at the Ness of Brodgar

The tonnes of midden material deposited on top of Structure Twenty-Seven. (Sigurd Towrie)

Until the early years of the 21st century, the huge, whalebacked mound at the south-eastern tip of the Ness of Brodgar was thought to be a natural feature.

Now, 18 years after the first test pits were dug, we know that much of that mounded ridge is artificial, made up of large, complex buildings covered by soil, rubble and midden.

Within these pages we’ve referred to it many, many times. But what is midden and where does it fit into the story of the Ness?

Click here to find out more.