Orkney Archaeology Society

Talk: Orkney Runes & book launch
2019-08-20 20:30 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | St Magnus Centre, Palace Rd, Kirkwall, KW15 1PA
Dr Raghnild Ljosland will give a talk on Orkney Runes
This talk explores the runic inscriptions found in Orkney which seem to have been made with a ‘magical’ purpose in mind: A runic amulet made from a bear’s tooth, and two inscribed pieces of metal. These will be explained in the light of other similar finds from Scandinavia, and we get a glimpse into the beliefs and superstitions among the medieval Norse.
Also, book launch for ‘The Orkney Book of Runes’, & music by Kate Fletcher and Corwen Broch.
Poster – PDF

Ness of Brodgar Open Day
2019-08-18 12:00 - 17:00, 2019-07-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Ness of Brodgar
Lots of extra events happening and free tours all day.

Viking Week
2019-08-17 - 2019-08-24 | Various in Orkney, Orkney
The Orkney Viking Week runs 17-23 August and will have a fun and practical
focus on Orkney’s Norse period. There will be talks, practical workshops
and outings, guided tours, book events, falconry, a Viking Voyage to
Hoy, a giant human game of Hnefatafl, and of course the week will finish
with a great Viking Feast on the Beach!
Programme at www.brodgar.co.uk/vikingweek

Talk: Rising Seas and Archaeology
2019-08-15 20:30 - 22:30 | King Street Halls, King Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1JF, United Kingdom
Talk by Caroline Wickham-Jones and invited guests (TBC).
Starts at 7.30pm, King Street Halls, King Street, Kirkwall.

Ranger days at the Ness for youngsters
2019-08-06 10:30 - 13:30, 2019-07-16 10:30 - 13:30, 2019-07-09 10:30 - 13:30 | Ness of Brodgar
“Digging up the Past at the Ness of Brodgar”
This event is where the Historic Scotland Rangers take youngsters ( 12+ ) for a day of experience at the Ness of Brodgar, you will get a chance to dig on the site as well as see what is involved in an archaeology dig. It is a great experience.
This is a whole day event and places are very limited so contact Sandra at orkneyrangers@hes.scot for more details

Cata Sands Excavation
2019-07-27 - 2019-08-25 | Cata Sands, Sanday, Orkney
Tours available and archaeologists will be on site most weekdays

Talk: Archaeology under the Microscope
2019-07-25 20:30 - 22:30 | St Magnus Centre, Palace Rd, Kirkwall, KW15 1PA
An introduction to soil micromorphology, and its contribution to Investigations at the Ness of Brodgar’
with
Dr Jo McKenzie
All welcome — free entry
Poster (pdf)

Talk: Swandro dig
2019-07-18 20:30 - 22:30 | King Street Halls, King Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1JF, United Kingdom
Update on the excavation at Swandro, Rousay.
With Dr Steve Dockrill and Dr Julie Bond.

Cairns Open Day
2019-07-08 12:00 - 17:00 | The Cairns, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Come to our open day at the fascinating Cairn dig in South Ronaldsay. We will have some of our finds from this Iron Age broch and the settlement around it on display. Come on one of our free Tours . A once a year opportunity!
The Cairns 19 Poster

Skail Farmstead Excavation
2019-07-08 - 2019-07-27 | Rousay
Tours are available and archaeologists will be on site most weekdays

Ness of Brodger Dig dates confirmed for 2019
2019-07-01 - 2019-08-22 | Ness of Brodgar
The dates for next year’s eight-week excavation season have been confirmed.
Provided our funding plans come together, diggers will be back on site between Monday, July 1, 2019 until Friday, August 23, 2019. As always, we’re always grateful for your help in making sure this happens.
The open days will be on Sunday, July 21, 2019, and Sunday, August 18, 2019.
Nick Card’s pre-excavation talk, in the Orkney Theatre, Kirkwall, is scheduled to take place on the evening of June 20, 2019.
At present, guided tours are pencilled in for Monday to Friday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 3pm.

Come and help at the 'Big Reveal'!
2019-07-01 - 2019-07-03 | Ness of Brodgar
We need helpers to move the tyres and plastic off the Ness of Brodgar before the digging starts in a new season
Meet at the Ness of Brodgar at 9am in old clothes, bring waterproofs and gloves and packed lunch and drinks.
You need to be reasonably fit.
1st of July and 2nd July

Swandro Excavation
2019-06-23 - 2019-08-07 | Rousay
Visitors are welcome from Sundays to Thursdays, and offer a free on-demand site tours all day. No need to book.

The Cairns Broch Excavation
2019-06-17 11:00 - 2019-07-12 17:00 | The Cairns, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Come and visit the dig. Parking is very limited and access can be tricky but worth the effort!

AGM + Talk on Discovering Hidden Kirkwall
2019-05-28 19:45 | St Magnus Centre, Palace Rd, Kirkwall, KW15 1PA
OAS AGM Minutes – 2018 (pdf )

OAS AGM Agenda with resolution – May 2019 (Pdf)

OAS AGM Minutes – 2018Discovering Hidden Kirkwall: results of the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) Archaeology Programme 2016-7
Dan Lee (ORCA) and Scott Timpany (UHI Archaeology Institute)
A programme of community-focused archaeological activities took place in the Kirkwall conservation area to explore the development and history of the town, particularly the old shore line which gradually encroached upon the Peedie Sea as the town grew.
Geophysical survey, various excavations, building recording and palaeoenvironmental work was undertaken. These were the first research excavations for 40 years in Kirkwall and explored residents gardens with small trenches. Evidence for the old shore line, including a possible pier structure, was revealed.
Waterlogged deposits adjacent to the pier structure were analysed for ancient pollen and plant remains, providing intriguing insights into the infilling of this part of the town. A trench in BBC Radio Orkney garden recovered a bone assemblage from the 17th century slaughter house, near the site of Kirkwall Castle. Parts of the Castle were recently exposed during separate THI roadworks on Castle Street, including a large wall.
Discovering Hidden Kirkwall worked with local residents, volunteers and pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School and local primary schools who helped with the excavations. This talk summarises the results from these activities and puts them in the context of the development of the town.
Poster to download (pdf)

Talk: – Brochs and Beyond:
2019-04-23 20:00 | St Magnus Centre, Palace Rd, Kirkwall, KW15 1PA
Investigations at The Cairns Iron Age Settlement
By Martin Carruthers, Site Director – The Cairns
