The N.O.B. in ’23!
by Bernie Bell - 16:14 on 01 August 2023
The N.O.B. in ’23!
This year, for the first time since 2019, the entire site has been uncovered and there’s so much there – it’s not surprising that they need to take some time away from the site after next year’s dig to assess/attempt to make sense of the work so far.
After being guided to the best place to park the car, we approached the site and looked about us…..
First of all, we turned left to Trench J/Structure 5. Though Structure 5 is of great interest – understood to be one of the earliest structures at the Ness, and also regularly turning up treasures such as the carved triangles which can be seen in the Orkney Museum until the 23rd of December…
https://frontiersmagazine.org/the-ness-in-the-museum/
…and the ‘raised eyebrows’…
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=15841
- this year it’s been over-shadowed a bit by the Great Wall of Brodgar. The Great Wall was one of first major sections of stonework discovered on the site, then the archaeologists moved their focus to the more central area.
In the last couple of years The Wall & Structure 5 have started to be thoroughly investigated, with intriguing results…….
‘Started to be thoroughly investigated’? Hmmm – one more year to go.
The Great Wall is a great wall – much of interest there, especially the steps….
I’m also thinking of the Dyke O’ Sean, a bit up the hill from the Ring of Brodgar, which was thought to be an earthen dyke until quite recently. Here’s the info. on the Dyke O’ Sean from Sigurd Towrie…
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/dyke-o-sean/
The freestanding walls are discussed in Chapter 6 - fittingly entitled ‘Setting Boundaries’ - of ‘The Ness of Brodgar As it Stands’, Edited by Nick Card, Mark Edmonds and Anne Mitchell …
https://theorkneynews.scot/2020/12/10/the-ness-of-brodgar-rising-and-standing/
Then we crossed over to view the central area of the site which, to be honest, doesn’t look to have changed much since the last dig. This is because the archaeologists aren’t so much focusing on revealing ‘new’ structures as whittling away at what makes up the floor surfaces – securitizing the hearths, which can tell a lot about the life which was lived around them – and discovering the structures beneath the structures as the Ness was a place which underwent much change and re-development during the time of its occupation.
There was a slight typo. in one instalment of the daily Dig Diary, but I think it’s a good word and could be used more – “undernearth” – which incorporates underneath and un-earthed. Old words are good - new words expand the possibilities of expression.
Walking round to Structure 12. I’ve always had an idea of it being a communal kitchen, like the one still standing by the remains of Glastonbury Abby…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbot%27s_Kitchen,_Glastonbury
…big pots, lot of hearths, even the Hammer-stones of Nick Card’s talk could have been for food preparation – grinding, rolling? Mebbe?...
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/video-structure-twelve-the-hammerstone-house-of-horrors/
We noticed a row of seven cup marks in a line along the base of a wall in Structure 12 – I think it’s structure 12 - I get muddled about the numbers!
Seven…..in a row…???????
******
PS....
I've just watched this...
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/dig-diary-extra-3d-model-shows-where-three-structures-meet/
...and see that the meeting-point is right by the seven cup marks. Any reason/ connection??? Who knows - who'll ever know!!!
******
And down the slope to Trench T, where the structures and stones just keep on coming. Including the very puzzling long, solid slabs of stone – what were they foooor???
There are various views of what might have been the purpose of this area. Meeting Stig of the Dump could be helpful ….
https://www.holytrinity.leeds.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Stig-of-the-Dump-PDF-version.pdf
…….otherwise, unless a strong indicator of usage is found – it will be covered over next year and sleep again.
I’m sticking with my manufacturing/processing area idea…..
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16030
….but what do I know?
Back up the slope, and past Structure 10 which barely gets a glance – tho’ I remember, years ago, exclaiming “Look at that big, long, curved wall” - a lot of big walls have been found since then…..
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/2023-day-18/
A view of the central area of the site….
Note I say ‘central’ not ‘main’ - there are various areas which can now be described as being ‘main’ pieces of the site. And what’s under the spoil heap? What’s under the big grassy area we arrived at first? We won’t know in our life-time. Enough that the archaeologists will work away at making sense of what has been found.
Speaking of which – the work will still need funding – so Mike posted some dosh in the big red barrel….
…..and we went to the shop where we bought some cards of images of the Banded Gneiss Mace-head, by Sam Gray - one of which went straight on the wall in my den when I got home…
https://www.samanthagrayart.com/
I likes the Banded Gneiss Mace-head…
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16063
The OAS calendar for 2024 is for sale – also available from the on-line OAS shop…..
https://shop.orkneyarchaeologysociety.org.uk/product-category/new/
…see April – Bells in smugmode!
That was our visit to the Ness for this year. One more year to go ‘if we’re spared’ as my Mum used to say. I hope we are. I hope we all are.
Exactly what the title says…
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/visiting-the-ness-this-summer-a-few-reminders/
My ramblings about The Ness excavations so far, from ‘The Orkney News’…
https://theorkneynews.scot/?s=Ness+of+Brodgar+Bernie+Bell
Plus – last year’s dig from m’blog…
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=15841
PHEW!!!
As part of the Orkney International Science Festival this year, though the site will again be covered with protective tarpaulin and tyres, site Director Nick Card will be giving a guided walk at the Ness…
https://oisf.org/portfolio-items/walks-outdoors/
With Nick’s words and a bit of imagination the site will come to life again, briefly, until next year.
We’re Watching
They’re closing down the Ness again
It’s easier now, than then
We did it all with soil and midden
This stuff’s beyond our ken.
They’re closing down the Ness again
They do it every year
We thought we’d done it for all time
Or something very near.
They’re closing down Ness again
They come from far and near
They’re not that different from us
That much is very clear.
They’re closing down the Ness again
Strange folk, strange clothes, strange speech
And yet what was once known to us
Is not beyond their reach
They’re closing down the Ness again
We watch them working hard
The man in charge, is one of us
A knowing–man named Card
They’ve sealed it off
That is the end
At least for one more year.
We watch, we wait, we hope, we know
Their time to learn, is near.
BB
To find out more, visit – http://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/
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