Trench T, Ness of Brodgar, Orkney

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Trench T is one of the most captivating sites currently under excavation at Ness. At the top of the trench, a stone-lined defensive ditch surrounds a platform that dates back to the Iron Age and may have enclosed a building structure. The ditch was carved into a massive 4m deep heap of Late Neolithic midden soil. Examining the sections reveals distinct lines where individual buckets of ash, hearth waste, pottery, and bone were poured downslope in neat, defined areas. At the bottom of the trench, dozens of Neolithic pits cut into the midden soils come into view. These pits contain few artefacts but some have been reinforced with small stone walls that demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship. Beneath the midden and pits lies an enigmatic building that stands out due to its massive size, measuring approximately 15m by 10.5m. The interior wall faces feature stones up to 4m long, while dividing orthostats separate different areas of the structure. The external walls are gently curved in a unique convex shape, and one surviving corner has been expertly dressed with precision tools. Is it a tomb or something even more mysterious? For additional information, visit: http://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/