Ness of Brodgar: Neolithic site to be covered as Orkney dig ends

The Ness lies just south-east of the Ring of Brodgar, the neolithic stone circle which can be seen as Orkney’s version of Stonehenge.

Since 2004, excavations at the three hectare site have so far uncovered 40 structures, a cluster of buildings which suggests this was an important settlement in prehistoric Orkney.

They were built in waves between roughly 3500 and 2400BC.

The website of the Ness of Brodgar Trust, external says it’s “without parallel in Atlantic Europe”.

It’s described as one of the most important archaeological excavations in the world, a find that changed what we understand about the culture and beliefs of Neolithic Orkney, one “shining a new light on the prehistory of northern Europe”.

About 70 people work there throughout the summer digs. They’re a mix of local and international volunteers, archaeology students and established professional researchers.

Archaeologist Nick Card, chair of the Trust and director of the Ness of Brodgar excavation, has been there since the beginning. He says the end of the dig is a very difficult time.

“It has been a very emotional year for many reasons, not least because the archaelogy has become part of my life and so many others’ lives,” he says.

“It will take us years to follow up and write up what we have found but it’s emotional because the Ness team we built up every summer for the past 10 to15 years has become an extended family.”