Welcome to Orkneyjar - a website
dedicated to the preserving, exploring and documenting the ancient history, folklore
and traditions of Orkney - a group of islands lying off the northern tip of Scotland,
where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
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Spotlight A brief selection of topics covered
in Orkneyjar...
Eyebrows link Westray figurine with burial chamber - As reported on Orkneyjar.com at the time, the "eyes" of the Noltland figurine bear a marked resemblance to the “eyebrow motif” pecked carvings found in the southernmost chambered cairn on the Holm of Papa Westray. (September 18, 2009)
Westray Stone Age carving is a first for Scotland - What has been hailed as Scotland's earliest representation of a human has been unearthed at the Links of Noltland, in Westray. (August 21, 2009)
The unfolding story of the Brough of Deerness - “What we’ve got here is one of the few places in the world where you can walk through the remains of a Viking Age village . . .” The words of Dr James Barrett, as the second year of excavations on the Brough of Deerness drew to a close this week. (July 30, 2009)
The Cantick mound that turned square — The excavations on Cantick, South Walls, concluded last week following the investigation of a Bronze Age burial mound. (July 9, 2009)
Unravelling centuries of Iron Age activity - work continues on an Iron Age site in South Ronaldsay — once again attempting to unravel a complex series of Iron Age buildings clustered around the site of a massive broch-like building. (July 9, 2009)
Perhaps the best-known attribute of Maeshowe is its world famous midwinter alignment.
In the weeks leading up to the winter solstice, the darkest time of the Orcadian year, the last rays of the setting sun pierce the darkness of the long entrance passage to illuminate the interior of the chambered cairn.
Theories abound as to the significance of this phenomenon...
This legend dictates that once a year, usually New Year, these stones - said to be transformed giants - move from their resting place to nearby bodies of water where they dip their heads down and "drink" the water.
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Orkneyjar is generally updated at least once a month - more over the summer excavation season - incorporating new
content with relevant news and information relating to Orkney's rich archaeology,
heritage and history.
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