The Ness of Brodgar excavation continues:
“The earliest stage we have is about 3300BC – about 5,300 years ago – and we have evidence this particular site was in use for over 1,000 years.”
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(Nick Brand lives!)
I realise that probably all archaeologists like to big up their discoveries in the media as much as possible, but it does all sound very exciting. It's just that we're not primed to think about sophisticated cultures on our own doorstep (or indeed not so on most of our doorsteps but in the distant north), with skilfully built architecture and complexes of ritual structures. And only 10% so far excavated? It brings to mind the romantic discovery and unearthing of extensive remains of long-lost cultures in more exotic parts of the world - but here it is in the north of Britain and waiting to shake up our ideas about the neolithic here.
I'd better start packing the van.