Two incredible excavations in Orkney have been shortlisted in the 2024 Current Archaeology Awards.
The Ness of Brodgar is in the running for two titles at the awards, which celebrate the projects and publications that have made the pages of the popular archaeology magazine over the past year.
The Ness has been nominated for Research Project of the Year, and dig director Nick Card is up for the Archaeologist of the Year title.
The recognition comes ahead of the final year of excavating at the Ness of Brodgar, which is found right in the heart of Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. After 21 years of work, the fascinating Neolithic complex will be covered over after the 2024 summer season for the last time, with the focus moving onto scientific analysis of all the material discovered over the years.
The other Orkney nomination is for the Knowe of Swandro excavation in Rousay, which is one of eight projects shortlisted for Rescue Project of the Year.
The dig is under threat from coastal erosion with much of the site, which includes evidence of use from the Iron Age through to the Norse period, found perilously close to the sea. Work here began in 2010 and the aim is to record as much of it as possible before the archaeology is lost forever.
All the categories are decided by public vote, which is open now on the Current Archaeology website and closes on 5 February 2024. The winners will be announced at the Current Archaeology Live! 2024 event on 24 February.
If you’ve visited these fascinating sites before, or just want to show your support for all the archaeologists who have helped uncover Orkney’s secrets over the years, please do give them both your vote.
The Ness of Brodgar will be open to visitors during the summer between Wednesday 26 June and Friday 16 August. Daily tours will be available once again, and remember, 2024 is your last chance to see the site before it is covered up permanently. Find out more on the official website.
The dig dates at the Knowe of Swandro are still to be confirmed but are typically from mid-June until the beginning of August. Visitors are more than welcome on-site during dig hours. Find out more on the official website.