It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding month at the Ness of Brodgar dig in the heart of Orkney's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For the first time since 2019, a full team of archaeologists has been working at the excavation, aiming to make up for lost time due to the coronavirus pandemic. And with the project set to run for a few weeks yet, it's hoped they'll be able to make even more progress, and uncover even more of the site's secrets.
So far, there have been some incredible discoveries, highlighting what a special place the Ness is. A number of polished stone axes have been found, as well as human remains, and several decorated stones. The site has produced quite a few of these beautiful pieces, providing a fascinating glimpse into life at the settlement more than 5000-years-ago.
It's impossible not to be impressed by the Ness and its setting within Orkney's Neolithic landscape. The site is surrounded by history, with the Standing Stones of Stenness, Barnhouse village and the Watch Stone to the south, and the Ring of Brodgar to the north. With the Harray and Stenness lochs on either side of the peninsula, it really is one of the most spectacular places in Orkney.
During the summer months it's a hive of activity, with thousands of visitors popping past to see the experts at work and to grab a glimpse of history being uncovered right in front of them. There are free tours every weekday, and the site shop is full of treasures to take home as special mementos of your visit.
If you're in Orkney this August, you still have time to visit the Ness of Brodgar. Tours of the dig will be on offer until August 17, before the focus turns to protecting the site for the winter ahead of its closure on August 19.
Find out more about visiting the excavation on the official Ness of Brodgar website.