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Archaeology Orkney

UHI Archaeology Institute

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(πŸ“· Colin Richards)
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Dig diary – looking forward to the 2027 season at Spurness

By Sigurd Towrie Friday, August 14, 2026 (11:55pm)Saturday, August 15, 2026 (12:01am)
(πŸ“· Jane Downes)
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Dig diary – an enigmatic stone artefact

By Sigurd Towrie Thursday, August 13, 2026 (10:55pm)Friday, August 14, 2026 (8:02am)
The side ambries within the structure. (πŸ“· Jane Downes)

Dig diary – a wealth of discoveries makes for a perfect day on site

By Sigurd Towrie Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (7:59pm)Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (10:41pm)
(πŸ“· Paul Clarke)

Dig diary – drone views of Spurness building(s)

By Sigurd Towrie Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (11:20pm)Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (7:45pm)
(πŸ“· Jane Downes)

Dig diary – Monumental Neolithic discovery at Spurness

By Sigurd Towrie Monday, August 10, 2026 (9:58pm)Monday, August 10, 2026 (9:58pm)
The front area and entrance to the Isbister cairn. (πŸ“· Sigurd Towrie)
News Outreach

Second Orkney Archaeology Festival programme now online

The programme for the second Orkney Archaeology Festival (September 9-13) is now available online.

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, August 10, 2026 (2:07pm)Monday, August 10, 2026 (2:07pm)
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Frances Walker, Clashach Cove (North Sea Glimpses), 1996, lithograph and screenprint, 46.3 x 61.5 cm. Peacock Archive, Aberdeen Archives, Galleries & Museums. Β© Frances Walker (2007)
Art & Archaeology Postgraduate Research

Two Orkney-led PhDs available as part of North Sea Heritage project

Eleven funded PhD projects are now available as part of the Β North Sea Heritage in Transitions (NHT), which launched last month.

By Sigurd TowrieSaturday, August 8, 2026 (10:45am)Saturday, August 8, 2026 (1:09pm)
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Spurness drone shot.
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Update on Spurness open day plans

Tomorrow’s open day at the Spurness excavation site in Sanday is going ahead with tours planned every 30 minutes. The site will be open from 10am until 4pm.

By Sigurd TowrieFriday, August 7, 2026 (10:14pm)Friday, August 7, 2026 (10:16pm)
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Katie and the carved stone head.
Student Stories Undergraduate

Outstanding archaeology student is UHI Orkney Student of the Year

UHI Orkney has named Katie Joss as its Student of the Year in recognition of her academic achievement, dedication and resilience throughout her studies.

By Sigurd TowrieThursday, August 6, 2026 (10:09am)Thursday, August 6, 2026 (10:55am)
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Trenches 19 and 20. (πŸ“· Lindsey Kemp)
Excavation Rousay Skaill Farm Viking/Norse

Dig diary – final week at Skaill, Rousay

An update on the final week of excavation from Dan Lee.

By Sigurd TowrieWednesday, August 5, 2026 (6:24pm)Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (6:24pm)
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Deturfing Trench Z. (πŸ“· Jo Bourne)
Courses Undergraduate

Undergraduate archaeology places available through UCAS clearing

UHI Archaeology Institute is offering places to study on the Archaeology BA (Hons), Archaeology Joint Honours BA (Hons), Archaeological Sciences BSc (Hons) and Archaeological and Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons) through UCAS Clearing 2026.

By Sigurd TowrieTuesday, August 4, 2026 (2:56pm)Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (2:56pm)
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(πŸ“· Jane Downes)
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day 12

Back on site, we’ve got a side door to the Early Neolithic structure.

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, August 3, 2026 (9:40pm)Monday, August 3, 2026 (9:40pm)
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(πŸ“· Holly Young)
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day nine

A day of enlightenment, with several things that were difficult to interpret began to make sense.

By Sigurd TowrieWednesday, July 29, 2026 (11:45pm)Thursday, July 30, 2026 (9:14am)
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(πŸ“· Holly Young)
Bronze Age Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day eight

An exceptional day, but not entirely for the expected reasons.

By Sigurd TowrieTuesday, July 28, 2026 (8:52pm)Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (9:57pm)
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Students learning the fine art of planning from Holly.
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day seven

Photographs from day seven in Sanday.

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, July 27, 2026 (7:08pm)Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (7:15am)
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Spherical artefact. (πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day six

It seems our Early Neolithic building is large – c.19.5 metres long.

By Sigurd TowrieSaturday, July 25, 2026 (6:40pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:40pm)
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(πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day five

Day five at Spurness, Sanday.

By Sigurd TowrieFriday, July 24, 2026 (6:57pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:41pm)
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(πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day four

Trench cleaning, filming and a couple of great finds.

By Sigurd TowrieThursday, July 23, 2026 (9:25pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:41pm)
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(πŸ“· Dan Lee)
Excavation Skaill Farm

Dig diary – week two at Skaill, Rousay

An update from Skaill farm, Rousay, by Dan Lee.

By Sigurd TowrieThursday, July 23, 2026 (1:03pm)Thursday, July 23, 2026 (1:03pm)
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All set to begin cleaning the trench. (πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day three

Deturfing complete, it was time to remove the protective covers…

By Sigurd TowrieWednesday, July 22, 2026 (11:32pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:41pm)
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(πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day two

An exciting day on site – it seems out Neolithic structure might be bigger than we thought.

By Sigurd TowrieTuesday, July 21, 2026 (9:26pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:42pm)
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Deturfing work begins. (πŸ“· Holly Young)
Excavation Neolithic Sanday

Spurness 2026 – day one

We’re back in Sanday to resume excavation of a wonderful Neolithic structure overlooking the Bay of Stove.

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, July 20, 2026 (9:41pm)Saturday, July 25, 2026 (6:42pm)
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(πŸ“· Iain Healy)
Excavation Iron Age The Cairns

The Cairns dig diary – day 30

After 20 years of excavation, the UHI Archaeology Institute’s research dig at The Cairns has now come to an end. With the work on the site now completed, it’s time for site director Martin Carruthers to sum up…

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, July 20, 2026 (5:52pm)Monday, July 20, 2026 (5:52pm)
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The western end chamber of the Neolithic structure. (πŸ“· Sigurd Towrie)
Excavation Neolithic Northern Exposure Sanday

Back to Sanday to continue excavating Spurness Neolithic structure

We’re back in Sanday this week, with excavations resuming at a prehistoric site at Spurness on Sunday.

By Sigurd TowrieSunday, July 19, 2026 (8:55am)Sunday, July 19, 2026 (10:00am)
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Time Team trailer
Excavation Ness of Brodgar Video

Time Team’s Ness of Brodgar special now available online

Professors Jane Downes and Ingrid Mainland are among the familiar faces seen in the new Time Team special on the Ness of Brodgar excavations.

By Sigurd TowrieSaturday, July 18, 2026 (10:20pm)Thursday, August 6, 2026 (10:25am)
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  • Today's update from Spurness, Sanday, by Professor Colin Richards, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com.
    4 days ago
  • Aerial view of the monumental Early Neolithic building under excavation at Spurness, Sanday. More images and an update at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Paul Clarke)
    4 days ago
  • UHI Orkney has named Katie Joss as its Student of the Year. Katie is pictured with the carved stone head she found at Skaill farm excavation in Rousay last summer. (πŸ“· Dan Lee)
    1 week ago
  • An update on the final week of excavation at Skaill farm, Rousay, Orkney, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Lindsey Kemp)
    2 weeks ago
Today's update from Spurness, Sanday, by Professor Colin Richards, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com.
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Today's update from Spurness, Sanday, by Professor Colin Richards, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com.
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Aerial view of the monumental Early Neolithic building under excavation at Spurness, Sanday. More images and an update at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Paul Clarke)
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Aerial view of the monumental Early Neolithic building under excavation at Spurness, Sanday. More images and an update at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Paul Clarke)
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UHI Orkney has named Katie Joss as its Student of the Year. Katie is pictured with the carved stone head she found at Skaill farm excavation in Rousay last summer. (πŸ“· Dan Lee)
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UHI Orkney has named Katie Joss as its Student of the Year. Katie is pictured with the carved stone head she found at Skaill farm excavation in Rousay last summer. (πŸ“· Dan Lee)
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An update on the final week of excavation at Skaill farm, Rousay, Orkney, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Lindsey Kemp)
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An update on the final week of excavation at Skaill farm, Rousay, Orkney, is now available at archaeologyorkney.com. (πŸ“· Lindsey Kemp)
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MSc Environmental Archaeology starting September 2026
Course Details

Top Posts

  • Dig diary - looking forward to the 2027 season at Spurness
    Dig diary - looking forward to the 2027 season at Spurness
  • Dig diary - a wealth of discoveries makes for a perfect day on site
    Dig diary - a wealth of discoveries makes for a perfect day on site
  • Dig diary - an enigmatic stone artefact
    Dig diary - an enigmatic stone artefact
  • Second Orkney Archaeology Festival programme now online
    Second Orkney Archaeology Festival programme now online
  • Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
    Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
  • Dig diary - Monumental Neolithic discovery at Spurness
    Dig diary - Monumental Neolithic discovery at Spurness
  • Dig diary - drone views of Spurness building(s)
    Dig diary - drone views of Spurness building(s)
  • Spurness 2026 - day seven
    Spurness 2026 - day seven
TRANSECTS

The Cairns

The Ness of Brodgar

Skaill, Rousay

Swartigill, Caithness

Tombs of the Isles Project

Industrial Heritage of the North Isles

Gaan Nort - An Oral History of Orkney's North Isles

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Archaeology Orkney

UHI Archaeology Institute

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Contact Us

UHI Archaeology Institute, UHI Orkney, East Road, Kirkwall. KW15 1LX
(01856) 569000
sigurd.towrie@uhi.ac.uk
8am-5pm. Monday to Friday

Links

  • UHI Archaeology Institute website
  • Ness of Brodgar Excavation
  • Ness of Brodgar Facebook
  • The Cairns excavation Facebook
  • Working Stone – the prehistoric stone tools of Orkney
  • Orkney Archaeology Society
  • Orkney.com

Email blog updates

Top Posts & Pages

  • Dig diary - looking forward to the 2027 season at Spurness
  • Dig diary - a wealth of discoveries makes for a perfect day on site
  • Dig diary - an enigmatic stone artefact
  • Second Orkney Archaeology Festival programme now online
  • Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
  • Dig diary - Monumental Neolithic discovery at Spurness
  • Dig diary - drone views of Spurness building(s)