Rock matters
: a geological basis for understanding the Rock at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney

  • Martha J Johnson

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (awarded by OU/Aberdeen)

Abstract

This research introduced a geological perspective into an archaeological setting, the Ness of Brodgar, a middle to late Neolithic site in the West Mainland of Orkney. Discovered in 2003, the site is located on an isthmus of land between two lochs and is equidistant between the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness stone circles. The site consists of more than two dozen drystone buildings encircled by a massive wall. To date, ten per cent of the site has been excavated,

This research established a systematic framework of protocols and procedures for recovery, macro geological assessment and identification of the rock and the mineral species in the non-tool, non-structural rocks, termed Foreign Stone for this research.
Date of Award21 Feb 2019
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Aberdeen
SupervisorIngrid Mainland (Supervisor) & Jane Downes (Supervisor)

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