By Bernie Bell
Regular readers of TON, will be aware that I have a liking for what is referred to as pre-history – in particular, the Neolithic, and, at the present time, even more in particular, what’s happening at the Ness of Brodgar, here on Orkney.
And what is happening at the Ness of Brodgar? Archaeologists, volunteers, artists – all sorts of folk, have been working away for some years now, delicately removing layers to reveal structures and objects which haven’t seen the light of day for about 5,000 years.
There have been a couple of editions of a wee booklet about the Ness….
….which give the visitor, or generally interested member of the public, some idea of what’s there, of what the Ness is – though, to even try to approach what the Ness is, would be a tall order!
There has also been a corker of a book, by Antonia Thomas, about the …artwork? carvings? embellishments? which have been found at the Ness ………so far –
This book was, and is, a gift – making information and knowledge which would usually be quite difficult for the non-academic to access, accessible. Antonia was good enough to send me a link, whereby folk can down-load and read her book, for free: https://pure.uhi.ac.uk/files/3350422/Art_and_Architecture_in_Neolithic_Orkney.pdf
I’m pleased to have an actual copy, which I can pore over – I still prefer paper to on-line!
And now, I’ll get to the point of this article. There wasn’t a book which drew together what’s happened, overall, at the Ness – so far – but now……THERE IS!!!
Site Director for the Ness Nick Card, eminent archaeologist Mark Edmonds and Project Officer Anne Mitchell have worked together to produce ‘The Ness of Brodgar: As It Stands’.
Rather than me wittering on about The Book, here are Nick and Anne, to give you an idea of what it’s about….
https://en-gb.facebook.com/TheOrcadian/posts/3541690709256515?__tn__=K-R
‘The Ness of Brodgar: As It Stands’ is due for release on the 18th November, but can be pre-ordered here….
We’ve ordered a copy, and I look forward to immersing myself in the book, as, due to Covid restrictions, the annual dig at the Ness couldn’t happen this year, and – I miss the place!
I’m now wondering if the folk at The Cairns https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/07/11/the-cairns-on-a-sunny-sunny-open-day/
might be inspired to produce something similar about the work so far, there? ‘Appen? Mebbe?
Go on go on go on go on – go on go on go on!
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Afterthought…..
If you’d like to buy a ‘hard copy’ of Antonia’s book – which I do strongly recommend doing – …….
https://www.waterstones.com/book/art-and-architecture-in-neolithic-orkney/antonia-thomas/9781784914332
I just think it was so good of her, to make it available for free. Must be a great relief to impecunious students!
Speaking of students – if you’re interested in studying the combination of Art & Archaeology, this could be for you…… https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/archaeology-institute/our-research/research-spotlight/art–archaeology/
To Joanne Bourne and Tonnie Richmond on Facebook – when is a book, not a book? When it’s a booklet.
Note use of diminutive.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/booklet
And that’s me – telling you!
Maybe I should have been more specific – on OAS Facebook.
To me, Facebook is a ….faceless book. If only it were a booklet – not so big and all-encompassing.
OK, I’ll stop now.
For folk who are interested in the Ness, this series is…most excellent….
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/buildings-through-time-structure-fourteen/
I said I’d stop – I lied.