Alternative Names Ring Of Brogar; Ness Of Brodgar
Site type HENGE, RUNE INSCRIBED STONE, STONE CIRCLE
Canmore ID 1696
Site Number HY21SE 1
NGR HY 2945 1335
Council ORKNEY ISLANDS
Parish STENNESS
Former Region ORKNEY ISLANDS AREA
Former District ORKNEY
Former County ORKNEY

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Archaeological Notes

HY21SE 1 2945 1335.

(HY 2945 1335) Stone Circle of Brodgar (NR)
OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed., (1903).

A single twig-rune is carved on a boulder in the SW region of the Ring.
M Olsen 1954.

The 'Ring of Brodgar' is a Class II henge monument, under Historic Buildings and Monuments (HBM) Guardianship, incorporating a stone circle 370 ft in diameter. It is bounded by a well-preserved ditch 30 ft wide and 6 ft deep.
The monoliths are mounted at intervals just within the scarp of the enclosing ditch. The positions of at 1 least 40 have been identified: of these, 27 remain upright.
Stone no.3 bears on one of its faces a number of, as yet, unsatisfactorily translated tree-runes and, below them, a small incised cross of simple design. A small stone bearing a tree-rune and a small incised cross was found in the circle during restoration by the Ministry of Works.
RCAHMS 1946; V G Childe and W D Simpson 1961; F T Wainwright 1962.
Visible on air photograph CUCAP GR 44, flown 1951.

The Ring of Brogar (name confirmed locally and appearing on MPBW guide-post) is as described and planned by previous authorities. The ditch is 10.0 m. wide and varies in depth from 0.9m to 1.9 m. The boulder, containing the single twig-rune, could not be located.
Resurveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (RB) 24 April 1966.

Radiocarbon Dates:
SRR 502 Basal organic deposits overlying deep silt infill in north ditch section - depth 0.7m Organic Mud 255bc +-60 375BC +-80
SRR 503 Lower peat in north ditch section - depth 0.6m Organic Mud 375bc +-45 440BC +-70
J L Davidson and A S Henshall 1989.

Holes measuring 800 x 700mm and 180-230mm deep were dug for plaques at three sites in the parish of Stenness, Mainland Orkney. One hole was located near the Ring of Brogar (HY 2946 1346; HY21SE 1), one at the Stones of Stenness (HY 3071 1239; HY21SW 2) and one at Maes Howe (HY 3180 1272). Nothing of archaeological significance was discovered in any of the holes.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
P Sharman 2000

A geophysical survey using magnetometry was undertaken in and around the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site between June and October 2002. Over 30ha was surveyed, including the Ring of Brodgar, the fields to the S of the Stones of Stenness (including Big Howe, HY31SW 31), an area around Bookan chambered cairn, and the fields between Brodgar Farm and the Bridge of Brodgar. Preliminary results have clarified the extent of known sites and discovered several new ones.
Archive to be deposited in Orkney SMR and the NMRS.
Sponsors: HS, Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Archaeology Trust, Orkney College.
N Card 2002


World Heritage Area; Geophysical survey
N Card (OAT)

A second season of magnetometry survey was undertaken in and around the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage SIte. Over 30ha was surveyed, further clarifying the extent of known sites and locating many new ones. Further survey in the immediate environs of The Ring of Brodgar seemed to emphasise the lack of magnetic enhancement in this area. This is in marked contrast to the area around the Stones of Stenness and on the Ness of Brodgar.

Report to be lodged with Orkney SMR and the NMRS.
Sponsors: HS, Orkney Islands Council, GSB (Bradford), Orkney Archaeology Trust.

HY 30 13 (area) A third season of geophysical survey was undertaken between March and October 2004 in and around the `Heart of Neolithic Orkney¿ World Heritage Site (DES 2003, 102). Over 35ha were surveyed using magnetometry. Results have further clarified the extent of known sites and discovered many new ones.
Further survey between the Ness of Brodgar and the Ring of Brodgar (centre HY 299 131) revealed boundary features, possible unknown burnt mounds and barrows, and areas of general background increased magnetic response. This response is similar to that surrounding the Neolithic complex on the Ness of Brodgar, which test pitting has shown is the result of Neolithic midden-enhanced soils.
The area to the NW of Maes Howe (centre HY 314 129) was dominated by geological anomalies and modern disturbance. However, isolated features may represent a possible new settlement site and other archaeological features.
A variety of responses have been detected to the SW of Maes Howe (centre HY 314 126). The northern half of the area is dominated by zones of magnetic disturbance generated by igneous dikes, and throughout the area short linear ferrous-type responses have been noted which are consistent with a series of land drains. Potentially archaeologically significant anomalies have been noted in the SW, including weak suggestions of an oval enclosure and general areas of increased magnetic response. In addition, a group of well-defined anomalies suggesting possible enclosures has been located further S.
Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and the NMRS.
Sponsors: HS, Orkney Islands Council, GSB (Bradford), Orkney Archaeological Trust, Orkney College.
N Card and S Ovenden 2004

In 1892 'The Orkney Herald' reported that stones from a dyke end were used in the Ring of Brodgar. Other mentions of the site are made in 'The Orkney Herald' and 'The Orcadian' - see References.

'The Orkney Herald' reported the discovery of runes on a stone stump uncovered in remedial work (1907). In 1908 7 stones were re-erected and an axe was found. The site was described in a number of articles.
M Howe 2006

'The Orcadian' in 1906 mentioned that the largest stone had been re-erected, after being knocked down in around 1814.
M Howe 2006

HY 3 1 (vicinity) A fourth season of geophysical survey was undertaken between January and November 2005 in and around the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (DES 2004, 97). This included more than 40ha of gradiometer survey, together with targeted resistance and ground penetrating radar (GPR).
GPR survey was conducted over Salt Knowe (HY 293 132) and Fresh Knowe (HY 296 133). However, the nature of the ground cover caused poor contact and considerable attenuation of the signal, resulting in little useful data being retrieved.
Reports lodged with Orkney SMR and NMRS.
Sponsors: HS A, Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Archaeological Trust, Orkney College Geophysics Unit.
N Card and S Ovenden 2005

A programme of archaeological evaluation was undertaken at the site of the proposed Dyke O Sean visitor car park servicing the UNESCO designated World Heritage site of the Ring of Brodgar in Steness Parish, Orkney. The site is centred on HY 29329 13738, on the eastern shore of the Brodgar Isthmus on the promontory between the Loch of Harray to the east, and the Loch of Stenness to the west. From the site, the sites of the Ring of Brodgar (c.300 m to the S), the Stones of Stenness (1.8km to the SE) and Maes Howe (2.6km to the E) are visible.
Twelve machine-dug trenches were opened across the area of the proposed development with two additional hand-dug cuttings made over two small upstanding mounds within the development area. No archaeological remains were identified within the machine cut trenches and the low mounds were proven to represent cleared material from modern (post-World Warr II) activity at the site. The findings from the evaluation can now be used to assist guidance of the appropriate management of the site operations involved in the construction of the car park.
M Carruthers 2006

The visitor car park has now been completed with display boards and is centred at HY 29487 13503.
Visited by RCAHMS (DE) 15 September 2008

Notes and Activities

ORKNEY SMR NOTE

Notes 'The very ancient circular range of upright stones at Stenness, in the island of Pomona in Orkney, which was reared in honour of the sun; While a contiguous semicircular pile was dedicated to the moon ...The site of these remarkable piles of stones is on the banks
of the Loch of Steinhouse ...' [R1]
Thomas describes the state of the circle and gives various dimensions of the monoliths. There is a plan showing the remaining stones and the sites of stones no longer present. [R2]
Relates the discovery of a broken part of one of the ruined stones with an inscription. [R3]
Reports discovery (fuller than P.S.A.S.) and gives photographs. Olsen attempts transcription followed by a
discussion. [R4]
First discovered in 1906. A tracing and cast of the runes were taken by Mr. J.W. Cursiter and submitted to Prof. Magnus Olsen of Christiania who interpreted their meaning. [R5]
There is a good description and the usual measurements are given. [R6]
The Ring of Brodgar stands on a narrow neck of undulating moorland between the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. 'It is of special interest and importance on account of the great extent of the area enclosed, the relative perfection of the ring of monoliths, and the presence of a wide and deep ditch which
completely surrounds it. 'The ditch measures about 30ft in breadth and is about 6ft deep.'
The central area measures about 370ft in diameter. At the time of writing, the positions of at least forty are visible, and there are spaces for twenty more, if it be assumed that they were erected at approx. equal distances apart. This would bring up the total in the original plan to sixty. By 1929 only twenty-seven were still erect. Some of the stones have runic inscriptions. Also a rough stone axe, a hammer-stone of quartz, and a small stone, bearing a tree rune and a small arrowhead of reddish coloured flint was picked up in 1928 close to the N.W. traverse. [R7]
Information from Orkney SMR [n.d.]


Further details

June 2002 to October 2002

MAGNETOMETRY

Notes A geophysical survey using magnetometry was undertaken in and around the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site between June and October 2002. Over 30ha was surveyed, including the Ring of Brodgar, the fields to the S of the Stones of Stenness (including Big Howe, HY31SW 31), an area around Bookan chambered cairn, and the fields between Brodgar Farm and the Bridge of Brodgar. Preliminary results have clarified the extent of known sites and discovered several new ones.
Archive to be deposited in Orkney SMR and the NMRS.
Sponsors: HS, Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Archaeology Trust, Orkney College.
N Card 2002

Further details

2008	EXCAVATION

Notes HY 303 129 Further investigation of the large late Neolithic complex on the Ness of Brodgar was undertaken in 2008 in order to characterise more of the structures and activity on the site. Excavation continued in Trench P (opened over Structure 1, partially uncovered by GUARD in 2003). The work clarified the relationship of several of the structures. A sondage against the outer wall face of Structure 1 revealed three courses of basal slabs at a depth of just over 1m from the surviving wall heads. These slabs projected beyond the outer wall line. The sondage also revealed a V-shaped stone-built drain and confirmed that Structure 1 had been constructed on midden deposits. The removal of more collapse and infill relating to the later reuse of Structure 1 revealed more phases of reuse and its replacement by several small sub-circular single-faced stone structures. Trench P was enlarged to the SE by 20 x 20m to investigate communities contributed to its construction. No tool marks were visible on the rock face and it is likely that the rock was excavated using wooden wedges. In addition to the excavation of the ditch fills, a previously unrecorded stonehole was investigated in Trench C. The severe disturbance around the base of the cut for the stonehole indicates that this stone had been toppled in antiquity. This, along with the discovery of a ramp associated with the stonehole in Trench A, provides new information relating to the construction of the stone circle itself. No evidence for an internal or external bank associated with the monument was discovered during these excavations. The analysis of the samples taken from the ditch fills in both trenches should provide significant new information about the construction and subsequent history of the monument.
Report: Orkney SMR and RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: Historic Scotland, Orkney Islands Council, Manchester
University, ORCA and Orkney College


Further details

Books and References

Armit, I (1998i) Scotland's hidden history, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Page(s): 57 Fig 33, pl 8 Held at RCAHMS E.2.1.ARM

Bradley, R (1998a) The significance of monuments: on the shaping of human experience in Neolithic and Bronze Age Europe, London
Page(s): 116-17, 122-3 Held at RCAHMS E.7.BRA

Burl, H A W (1969) 'Henges: internal features and regional groups', Archaeol J, vol.126
Page(s): 1-28

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