The Ness of Brodgar in Orkney is ‘a site of superlatives’. So write the authors of this absorbing new book about a truly extraordinary site. Nestled on a thin spit of land between two lochs, the Ness is a unique complex of monumental buildings in an area already rich in Neolithic archaeology.
The present excavations have been running for over a decade, and while the team modestly stresses that this is only a summary of the present state of understanding, what has already been revealed is truly breathtaking; this wide-ranging book is an accomplishment to be saluted.
Each of the Ness’ key aspects is explored in turn, in illuminating detail. The complex is home to a unique array of Neolithic buildings, as well as a rich range of artefacts and the largest assemblage of ‘architecturally situated’ carvings from a single site in northern Europe. Over 900 individual decorated stones have been recovered so far, marked with mostly geometric motifs created through various means – incising, pecking, carving, cup-marks, and more. Some of this imagery is familiar from other Neolithic sites, placing the Ness within a fascinating context of ancient artists, while other designs are unique, such as an ‘opposed fan’ motif dubbed the ‘Brodgar butterfly’ by the team.
