We are nearing the end of the dig now and as a result work is now concentrating on recording and planning the site. However much interest has been piqued by the arrival of the expert stone masons who are to build a reconstruction of the chambers within Mine Howe itself.

The early stages of the reconstruction of the chambers within the Howe.
The idea of the reconstruction is both to give visitors to the site an easier access version of the chambers and, more importantly, to investigate the construction techniques used by the folk of the Iron Age.

What came as a great surprise to the archaeologists who watched the work take place was the speed of construction. We watched with our mouths wide open in wonder as the builders spent just two days on the construction their facsimile. Of course the hole into which the construction was placed was dug out by mechanical digger (care of Mr Ally Miller)and the stone was delivered to the site by lorry. However, despite this the actual construction process itself seemed to take place with almost magical speed !

The building of the reconstruction continues apace, its shape and form now becoming apparent.
During the construction process much insight was gained into the apparent eccentricities of the orignal chambers. "Joffy" the chief mason was convinced that the turn in the stairs displayed in the Iron Age chamber was a device to increase the structural integrity of the whole chamber complex rather than part of the original plan.

This type of experimental archaeology may be extremely useful in testing ideas about contruction techniques and practical issues, but it still leaves open many of our original questions regarding the significance and purpose of the structures.

This is how the completed reconstruction looks from the outside. very much like a modern day version of the kind of enigmatic mound that is so abundant in Orkney.
Elsewhere on site. Trench B is one of only two areas where excavation is still taking place. An amazing amount of pottery is being recovered from the bottom of the ditch. At the same time the revetting apparent at the ditch terminal (end), just keeps on going. This is revealing a finely constructed massive wall holding up and enhancing the end of the ditch. Judith and Dave are desperate to find the bottom of the ditch before time catches up with us. For the sake of completeness it is always satisfying to have a full profile of the any feature that is being dug.

Judith and Dave carry on the herculean task of trying to "bottom" the massive ditch in Trench B.

Here is an object movie of a possible loom weight recovered from Trench B. This lovely find strongly suggests weaving activity at the site, however on its own it is not enough to act as conclusive proof !

To view this object movie you need to have a QTVR plugin for your browser, this is available from Apple via this link. The model is under 200kb.

TO VIEW MODEL CLICK HERE !
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