A map of Doggerland as it is believed to have looked ca. 10,000 BP, superimposed on Quizimodo’s public domain map of the UK, EU and Europe.

Marine Archaeologists working in the North Sea at an area known as Doggerland have made an amazing discovery. Doggerland which was an area once joining us to the continent of Europe was flooded  by rising sea levels around 6,500–6,200 BC. It is known as the British Atlantis.

Dr B. Wayre who is leading the explorations said:

“This has been a fabulous place to live in the Mesolithic period,  although rising sea levels gradually reduced it to low-lying islands before its final submergence, possibly following a tsunami caused by the Storegga Slide.”

“Our archaeologists are finding not just evidence of day to day living but of a powerful culture rich in ritual.”

In amongst the fragments of plant remains and those of large animals such as lions and elephant tusks stone statues have been emerging from the submerged peat. Preserved for millenia in the peat the stone idols are being revealed almost as if they were carved yesterday.

Dr B Wayre explains:

“What is most surprising is the statues are all of a rodent – the vole – and indeed we have analysed the features of the creature and know it to be  Microtus arvalis orcadensis to common people ‘the Orkney vole’.”

Microtus arvalis orcadensis is only found in Orkney and is thought to have arrived with the first settlers as a stow away on their boats. The discoveries at Doggerland have led experts to call for the rewriting of all theories about the first Orkney farmers and their relationship with voles.

TV Presenter and history expert Liall Boliver said:

“This is clear overwhelming evidence that the people of Orkney brought the voles with them as treasured gods. They worshipped them and erected stones in their honour across Orkney.”

Vole bones being unearthed at the current excavations at the temple complex of the Ness of Brodgar substantiate Boliver’s claim where the voles were worshipped and kept well fed in luxurious conditions.

Dr B Wayre commented:

“This is the most astounding information to hit the archaeological community and will put microtus arvalis orcadensis on the worldwide stage.It’s the missing clue we have been searching for and the reason for the stone circles.”

“All the time we have been thinking ancient people were looking up at the stars when they were actually looking down at the ground – to the peedie Orkney vole.”

Reporter: Fergus Graemsay