By Bernie Bell
I remember, years ago, standing looking over a gate just past the Brig O’ Brodgar, between Stenness and Harray lochs – and noticing that two squares of turf had been lifted. Each about …..2 foot square – as well as I can remember – it was a good while ago! And I thought to myself “They’re up to something.” And they were. ‘They’ being the Orkney archaeologists. And now I know what it was they were up to – it’s what has now become a world-famous and, better still, world-renowned archaeology dig – The Ness of Brodgar. https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/trust/
The dig has grown and grown, and more and more finds have been found………. https://theorkneynews.scot/?s=The+Ness
And now – artefacts from The Ness are going to London to meet up with significant objects from other lands in an exhibition at the British Museum which – if only I could – I would love to visit….
The Nebra Sky Disc – one of my favourite things – will be there……. https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/10/29/writing-symbols/
But whether at The Ness, or elsewhere, it’s not just the most attractive, mysterious , striking or exciting things that matter….
Thoughts about the drain, discovered at The Ness
It’s not just Sky-stones,
Carved Balls,
Painted Walls.
It’s the basics of life.
Making, Breaking.
The fragments which can say so much,
To those who pay attention.
Butchery – How?
Placement – Why?
Careful noting of the smallest detail,
Builds the picture.
The beauty matters.
Beauty, simply, does.
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or
believe to be beautiful.”
The principle works down the ages.
Beauty, mystery, and…..practicality.
LIFE.
Bernie Bell August 2015
Categories: Uncategorized
Aaaaand……..three paintings by Jeanne Bouza Rose https://jeannebouzarose.me/ will be reproduced and sold at the British Museum Shop to coincide with the exhibition.
As they say in America – ‘GO JEANNE!’
Here’s a thought….
If any Orkney News readers are going to the British Museum exhibition, how would you feel about making a wee film, or taking a lot of photos, and putting something together for TON? That is, if the BM allows it – some do, some don’t.
That way, those who can’t get there, can still ‘see‘ it.
This is where having difficulty travelling does annoy me, but, well, can’t be helped – that’s the way particular cookie is crumbling!
Some good pics of finds…….
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/braving-the-elements-to-transfer-ness-artefacts-to-british-museum-exhibition/