The Cairns dig diary – day fourteen
Evidence of cattle horn removal from outside Structure E.
Evidence of cattle horn removal from outside Structure E.
More pottery, whalebone and delving into middens…
Back in the broch’s South-east Room.
Midway through the 2023 dig, site director Martin sums up the progress so far.
If you live on the islands of Rousay, Egilsay or Wyre and would like to take part in this year’s excavation at Skaill farm get in touch.
Human tooth found outside the broch entrance – and more whalebone, worked stone and a pig’s tusk!
‘A whole new world has opened up beneath my feet!’ – a day of stone tools, pottery and shells.
Sunshine, planning, antler and bone – work continues apace inside and outside the broch.
After a day of rain halted proceedings, it was back on site again today, where the broch was gridded to allow sampling.
A summary of week one and a look at what lies ahead.
Animal bone deposits and ritual activity? The archaeology keeps on coming in the broch as the team continued to unearth more of this fascinating Iron Age structure.
Archaeologists are back at the Knowe of Swandro, Rousay, from June 19.
Whale rib and saddle quern inside the broch – another glorious day at The Cairns! The scale of activity has increased as the team get to work on specific areas around and inside the broch.
Revisiting Structure N – the site has been a hive of activity today as the excavation gets into full swing.
The covers are off and the broch interior revealed…
We’re back! We have been largely absent from site for far too long, but this year we are finally returning in strength!
Our 2023 dig season kicks off today, with a full team returning to The Cairns Iron Age site.
A team from ORCA has been commissioned by Orkney Islands Council to open archaeological trial trenches in the car park in St Catherine’s Place, Kirkwall.
Volunteer opportunities available at the Burn of Swartigill excavation, Caithness, in August and September.
A team from the UHI Archaeology Institute will be back at the Burn of Swartigill from August 14 until September 8.