The Ness of Brodgar - Excavation Background

Archaeologist Nick Card examines the geophysics scan results during the excavations on the Ness of Brodgar

A large Neolithic complex on the Brodgar peninsula lies on the low ridge between the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.

An initial geophysical survey, as part of the WHA Geophysics Programme, revealed numerous anomalies ‘indicative of settlement’ covering 2.5 hectares.

In 2003, a large notched stone was ploughed up and a rescue excavation was undertaken, under the Human Remains Call-Off Contract, as the stone was thought to be from a cist.

The trench revealed part of a large structure similar to Structure 2 at nearby Barnhouse Neolithic Village. This finding initiated a resistivity survey to try to define the extent of the built archaeology and complement the initial gradiometer survey.

In light of the results of the two geophysical surveys and the exploratory work further investigations were undertaken.

Initially a series of eight test-trenches was placed over the Ness of Brodgar in 2004 to examine the nature, depth and extent of the archaeological deposits. This indicates that much of the mounded ridge is artificial, comprising structures and middens all dating to the Neolithic.

A large linear grouping of anomalies was investigated in 2005 and 2006.

This revealed a stratigraphic sequence of Neolithic structures. In 2006, a large oval structure was uncovered enclosed by a monumental wall.

In 2007, work continued on the oval structure and monumental wall. Test trenches revealed that the wall extended for a considerable distance across the width of the peninsula, and may have formed a barrier restricting access to the neighbouring Ring of Brodgar.

A large trench covering the location of the 2003 excavations was also opened up, revealing a symmetrical structure (pictured below), similar in shape to Houses Two and Eight at the Barnhouse Neolithic village.