Over the last couple of weeks we have been having lots of fun, gaining plenty of inspiration and discovering exciting new things all based around this years dig at the Ness of Brodgar.
We popped over to the site one beautiful morning to catch up with the gang. We were welcomed warmly and shown some of the new finds.
Stunning shaped piece of sand stone, which matched one found a few years ago. A beautiful (but rather fragile ) piece of stone with Bas relief decoration. This is fascinating, has the decoration been put on finely?, marked out and then not finished?, or worn away!!!! Finally the axeheads that have been found over the last few weeks.
The axeheads were beautiful. They showed the beveled edge created as they were fashioned or sharpened. We were also shown a flat stone with a highly polished area where this would have been done. We weren’t home long before Michael got to work on an inspired piece. He’s had a piece of ebony for years. It was bought after having been rejected by instrument makers. It was just the right size to use for this piece. Displayed on a limed oak base to represent the piece of stone we had seen and of cause a bit of Bas relief carved Neolithic inspired motifs added, including the Brodgar butterfly.
It was the Ness of Brodgar open day on Sunday and some preparation was in hand.
A fun evening was had helping a friend pit fire a pot she had made herself inspired by the pots made in Neolithic times. The size and design of the pot was taken from some pieces of the original pottery found at The Ness of Brodgar. (Monty was in on the act too). Shavings from the workshop and various other pieces of timber filled the pit and it was left to burn over night, the finished pot can be seen later in this blog. Michael has made a couple of axeheads from the ebony and a boxwood one and has completed the inspired piece with an oak base with a polished area.
As promised – Jan with the pit fired pot on her stand with Roy. They both work with the finds specialising in the pottery. Some of the other stands showing various things including bones, us and cheese making using vinegar, stone specialists where the axeheads were on display amongst cushion mace heads, cobble tools etc. Lots of interest for adults and children alike.
It was a great day. About 1000 people visited the site on a beautiful warm sunny day. There was a buzz in the hall, lots of great chat, interest and delicious refreshments. Only one open day this year(usually there are 2) and I think the most was made of it and it will be classed as a great success.
A couple of the axeheads sold on the day, but there are a couple still available (check on the shop). I think Michael will be making these in the future too.
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