New discoveries at Orkney's Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site
By Hannah Roe
BBC Scotland, Orkney
Published
1 day ago
Excavations resumed after the pandemic
Whale bones and some of the UK's oldest steps are among new finds unveiled at the famous Ness of Brodgar Neolithic settlement in Orkney. The Ness of Brodgar, next to the famous Ring of Brodgar, is one of the most important sites of its type in Europe.
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) archaeologists have finished seven weeks of excavation in the first season back after the pandemic.
They say what they have found this year has got the whole team excited. Site director Nick Card said: "We've expanded Trench J and revealed more of the northern wall - The Great Wall of Brodgar - and we can see stone steps built and actually integrated into it and these are some of the earliest steps in the UK.
"Again we see the Ness being a centre for innovation."
More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-62594500
Also in Trench J is Structure 5, the earliest building on site which dates back to 3,400 BC.
More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-62594500
The site has been under excavation since 2004, revealing a complex of Neolithic buildings.
