Skip to content
UHI Archaeology Institute

Archaeology Orkney

UHI Archaeology Institute

  • About Us
    • ORCA
    • Staff
    • Publications
  • Study archaeology
    • Archaeology short courses
    • Undergraduate degrees
    • Taught postgraduate degrees
    • Research degrees
    • Postgraduate dissertations
    • Online options
    • Teaching and Research Facilities
    • Where can I study?
    • Student accommodation
    • Living in Orkney
  • Research
    • Research projects
    • Research degrees
    • Research students
  • Student Stories
    • Archaeology Graduate Stories
  • ORCA
    • Tombs of the Isles
    • From peat spade to tangle trade 
    • Gaan Nort: The oral history of the North Isles
    • Rousay Tales
  • Facebook
  • Menu Item
  • Menu Item
  • Blue Sky
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
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)
Continue Reading
Spherical artefact. (📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
All set to begin cleaning the trench. (📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
Deturfing work begins. (📷 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)
Continue Reading
(📷 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)
Continue Reading
The western end chamber of the Neolithic structure. (📷 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)
Continue Reading
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)
Continue Reading
(📷 Dan Lee)
Excavation Skaill Farm

Dig diary – Week one at Skaill, Rousay

An update on the first week at Skaill from site director Dan Lee.

By Sigurd TowrieSaturday, July 18, 2026 (5:30pm)Saturday, July 18, 2026 (5:30pm)
Continue Reading
(📷 Martin Carruthers)
Excavation Iron Age The Cairns

The Cairns dig diary – day 29

Pressure builds on penultimate day – today’s update from Iain Healy.

By Sigurd TowrieThursday, July 16, 2026 (8:37pm)Saturday, July 18, 2026 (5:11pm)
Continue Reading
(📷 Alison Johnston)
News

Bringing Barra’s history to life with new augmented reality archaeology trail

The UHI Archaeology Institute has launched two new interactive, augmented reality archaeology trails in Barra, allowing visitors to experience some of the island’s most significant archaeological sites in an entirely new way, through the Outer Hebrides Unearthed smartphone app.

By Sigurd TowrieThursday, July 16, 2026 (10:01am)Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (8:01pm)
Continue Reading
(📷 Iain Healy)
Excavation Iron Age The Cairns

The Cairns dig diary – day 28

Today’s excavation update from Craig Barnes.

By Sigurd TowrieWednesday, July 15, 2026 (8:23pm)Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (8:24pm)
Continue Reading
The paved entrance passage of the broch, looking into the interior. (📷 Martin Carruthers)
Excavation Iron Age The Cairns

The Cairns dig diary – day 27

Today’s site update from PhD student Julia Brunner.

By Sigurd TowrieTuesday, July 14, 2026 (8:51pm)Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (8:51pm)
Continue Reading
(📷 Martin Carruthers)
Excavation Iron Age The Cairns

The Cairns dig diary – day 26

As we enter the final week of The Cairns dig, an update from Ole Thoenies.

By Sigurd TowrieMonday, July 13, 2026 (8:10pm)Monday, July 13, 2026 (8:10pm)
Continue Reading

Posts navigation

Older posts
Newer posts
Study archaeology online

Step into the past with us…

https://youtu.be/mhQA6z3pKOU

Instagram Latest

  • Unperturbed by mud and standing water, a group of hardy students clocked up a few miles today on a field trip to take in four of Orkney's best known Neolithic chambered cairns.
    3 weeks ago
  • A survey on the St Magnus Way, created by Dr Ragnhild Ljosland, will be launched at a drop-in event in the Harray Hall on Sunday, October 4.
    4 weeks ago
  • Orkney Islands Council’s archaeology fund re-opens for Orkney project applications.
    4 weeks ago
  • Join artist Kirsty Russell and archaeologist Dan Lee to explore marine energy sites and stories in Fittie, on Saturday, October 3, for a TRANSECTS creative walking event.
    1 month ago
Unperturbed by mud and standing water, a group of hardy students clocked up a few miles today on a field trip to take in four of Orkney's best known Neolithic chambered cairns.
Unperturbed by mud and standing water, a group of hardy students clocked up a few miles today on a field trip to take in four of Orkney's best known Neolithic chambered cairns.
Unperturbed by mud and standing water, a group of hardy students clocked up a few miles today on a field trip to take in four of Orkney's best known Neolithic chambered cairns.
@uhiarchaeology
@uhiarchaeology
•
Follow
Unperturbed by mud and standing water, a group of hardy students clocked up a few miles today on a field trip to take in four of Orkney's best known Neolithic chambered cairns.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
A survey on the St Magnus Way, created by Dr Ragnhild Ljosland, will be launched at a drop-in event in the Harray Hall on Sunday, October 4.
@uhiarchaeology
@uhiarchaeology
•
Follow
A survey on the St Magnus Way, created by Dr Ragnhild Ljosland, will be launched at a drop-in event in the Harray Hall on Sunday, October 4.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Orkney Islands Council’s archaeology fund re-opens for Orkney project applications.
@uhiarchaeology
@uhiarchaeology
•
Follow
Orkney Islands Council’s archaeology fund re-opens for Orkney project applications.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
Join artist Kirsty Russell and archaeologist Dan Lee to explore marine energy sites and stories in Fittie, on Saturday, October 3, for a TRANSECTS creative walking event.
@uhiarchaeology
@uhiarchaeology
•
Follow
Join artist Kirsty Russell and archaeologist Dan Lee to explore marine energy sites and stories in Fittie, on Saturday, October 3, for a TRANSECTS creative walking event.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
4/4
Northern Exposure

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
Course Details

Top Posts

  • Free radiocarbon dating seminar on Friday
    Free radiocarbon dating seminar on Friday
  • Wrecks of experimental ships discovered in Scapa Flow
    Wrecks of experimental ships discovered in Scapa Flow
  • Dig diary - spectacular carved head found in week two at Skaill farm
    Dig diary - spectacular carved head found in week two at Skaill farm
  • Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
    Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
  • Get up close to Skara Brae with new 3D model of 5,000-year-old settlement
    Get up close to Skara Brae with new 3D model of 5,000-year-old settlement
  • University Archaeology Day 2026 - the future of our past is in YOUR hands!
    University Archaeology Day 2026 - the future of our past is in YOUR hands!
  • Video: 'Mysteries of Prehistoric Scotland' series now available to all
    Video: 'Mysteries of Prehistoric Scotland' series now available to all
  • UHI Archaeology Institute lecturer recognised in student awards.
    UHI Archaeology Institute lecturer recognised in student awards.

Archive

Categories

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Our Cookie Policy

Archaeology Orkney

UHI Archaeology Institute

  • Facebook
  • Menu Item
  • Menu Item
  • Blue Sky

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

  • Free radiocarbon dating seminar on Friday
  • The Broch
  • Wrecks of experimental ships discovered in Scapa Flow
  • Dig diary - spectacular carved head found in week two at Skaill farm
  • Study online and gain an archaeology degree anywhere in the world
  • Pierowall, Westray
  • Study archaeology with us online and gain a degree anywhere in the world
Loading Comments...