Ness of Brodgar Excavations, Orkney - Re-Writing the Neolithic

The Ness of Brodgar is an unique site, situated at the heart of the Neolithic Orkney landscape. It is of immense importance since there is nothing quite like it in western Europe. In 2003 an incised stone was found and this event was the start an unprecedented series of excavations. What we see today represents less than 10% of the site as a whole and it is believed that the site was in use for at least a millennium, so you can imagine the challenges and complexities the Ness poses! The most important thing we have learnt so far is how advanced and intelligent the society was 5,000 years ago. Meticulous excavation has revealed painted walls, stone tiled roofs and pottery types which have never been seen before. Indeed, many of these technologies did not show up in the archaeological record again until Roman times! Hence, the Ness of Brodgar is changing what we know about the Neolithic period and there is still much to discover.....exciting times!!

I have had the pleasure of visiting this site on numerous occasions and each time I feel a combination of awe, bewilderment, fascination and yet the need to discover and understand.  What did our ancestors at the Ness feel about life? What were their beliefs and what was important to them?

Take some time to see for yourself......below I have included a short video clip of the site, to provide some context, then look through the slideshow which includes photographs of the site and an amazing array of some of the artefacts which have been excavated. I think you'll find you'll have more questions than answers!!