One of the primary charitable purposes of the Orkney Archaeology Society is to raise money to support and promote archaeology in Orkney. 

Through this page you can choose to make a donation to one of  three Orkney Archaeology Society Funds:

The Ness of Brodgar Excavation Fund. 

The Daphne Lorimer Student Bursary Fund.

The General Fund.

Below are details of the purpose of each fund. Please read the descriptions  and click on the DONATE button for the fund you wish to support.  All donations are welcome however large or small.

Note: you do not need a PapPal account to donate using the DONATE buttons, you can choose to use a credit or debit card directly from the PayPal screen without logging into or creating a PayPal account by taking the 'Dont Have a PayPal Account' option. Alternatively you can send a cheque to  OAS, PO BOX 6213 , Kirkwall , Orkney   KW15 1YD.

NESS OF BRODGAR EXCAVATION FUND

 

Donations to the Ness of Brodgar Excavation fund are used exclusively to support the on-going excavation of the unique, 5,000 year old, Neolithic temple complex at the Ness of Brodgar in Orkney (see the   Ness of Brodgar Website  on Orkneyjar.com). The monumental decorated stone buildings, enclosed within a large walled precinct, represent some of the oldest architecture in Europe, rivalling the famous Maltese temples.

Within the study of not only the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site but also Atlantic Europe the site is of huge significance and has the potential to illuminate and change our perceptions of many aspects of Neolithic life.

Through its high profile the Ness promotes archaeology and education to a worldwide audience. The site encourages the involvement of the whole community, from local primary schools, older children through an ‘Excavation Club’, and students and volunteers from around the globe. The site is open to the public throughout the excavation period with several free guided tours each day, with wider access being available through our daily illustrated dig diary hosted by Orkneyjar.com and worldwide media attention.

The excavations are made possible by the generosity and time of many individuals, and the involvement of several academic institutions and smaller grant giving bodies. However, even with this input, an excavation on the scale of the Ness needs your support, as it is not only the excavation but the post-excavation analysis that requires funds. As examples the excavation costs circa £1,500 a day to run; and radiocarbon dates are £290 each.

Unravelling the mysteries of this world-important site in the far north of Scotland requires your assistance. Please help us continue this valuable and ground-breaking (in all senses of the word!) work by donating here.

Daphne Lorimer Bursary Fund

On an annual basis since 2007, we award the Daphne Lorimer Bursary to a student on the Masters in Archaeological Practice course run by Orkney College. This bursary covers the fees of a student who has gained a place on the course by academic merit but would otherwise be unable to raise the funds to take up the place.  

Past recipients of the Bursary have made a significant contribution to Orkney Archaeology both in terms of a direct research contribution and in promoting Orkney archaeology.  Each year the recipient of the bursary gives a lecture to the OAS membership, and contributes a research article to the OAS Newsletter.

A contribution to this fund will help us to continue offering the Bursary to a deserving student.

 

The GENERAL FUND

This fund contributes towards all the remaining activities of the society,  From this fund we make grants to support Orkney Archaeology research projects and excavations, we support our educational projects such as our program of activities for Secondry school pupils now being integrated into  the local school curriculum plans, we fund publications promoting and informing about Orkney Archaeology and we support the OAS regular series of walks and lectures for both OAS members and members of the general public,