As the construction of roofing at the Ness of Brodgar was largely of timber, the actual duration of occupation of the structures is likely to have been limited by preservation, or lack thereof, of the wood it was built with.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/dating-ness-of-brodgar.html

Auroch bones are found in large numbers at the Ness of #Brodgar these appear to have been dumped as part of camp celebrations after a successful hunt carried out by boat-people visiting orkney for an annual hunt.

#aurochs #neolithic #orkney #archaeology #prehistory

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/07/aurochs.html

Aurochs seem to have arrived on Orkney as sea levels rose leading to large herds with large roaming territories being isolated on tiny islands.
Those on mainland Orkney fared better, being hunted by seafaring adventurers and eaten in the ruins of the Ness of Brodgar.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/07/aurochs.html

Bere Barley is a grain that is grown in Orkney today. The seeds are often found on archaeological sites, a tiny piece of carbon, useful for dating. A time capsule.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/bere-barley-neolithic-grain.html

The Ness of Brodgar is probably the most famous excavation, certainly in Britain, if not elsewhere.
This is the Director's (Nick Card) account of the site from some years ago.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-ness-of-brodgar-excavation.html

The dating of Skara Brae underlines the difference of development there between structures at or before 3000BC, and those after that date.

After 3000BC the huts are the type of structure that might withstand winter gales in Orkney.

Not so much before.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/dating-skara-brae.html

Gordon Childe is famous for his work at Skara Brae. Most of the place seems to have been dug by the time he got there though.

However Hut 7 remained hidden, and Patterson, who worked for him, found that. Here Patterson's account of how he excavated Hut 7 reads as if he is telling it over a cup of tea in the site hut.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/skara-brae-neolithic-village.html

The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments In Scotland has published its description of the Skara Brae Neolithic Village.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2025/06/skara-brae-rcahms.html

A short note about the excavation of Unstan Cairn.

#neolithic #prehistory #archaeology #Orkney #Scotland #Brodgar #skarabrae

https://orkneyriddler.blogspot.com/2026/06/unstan-cairn-unstan-cairn-sits-on-land.html