Excavation of 5,000-year-old Neolithic site in Orkney to end next year

The Ness of Brodgar is the thin strip of land, in the West Mainland of Orkney, that separates the lochs of Harray and Stenness. To the southeast are the Standing Stones of Stenness dating from between 3000BC and 2500BC, and to the north-west is the Ring of Brodgar, a Neolithic henge and stone circle thought to date between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Then in 2002 a geophysical survey revealed a huge prehistoric complex, indicating many buildings beneath the Ness. Excavations at the site began in 2003 and have continued since that time. Revealing a large complex of monumental Neolithic buildings as well as decorated masonry, pottery, stone tools, evidence of stone tiled roofing and other artefacts.

The earliest structures have been dated to have been built between 3,300 and 3,200 BC, and the site had been abandoned and partly dismantled around 2,500 BC. It has now been stated that excavations involving Ness of Brodgar Trust, in partnership with the UHI Archaeology Institute, will end in 2024. It has been decided that after this there will be a concentration upon focusing on the scientific analysis of all the excavated material. The site will be covered over and returned to being a green field with the aim allowing future generations of archaeologists to explore.