This image is of the Crossiecrown site, taken from the photographic tower. Nick Card writes...The preliminary excavations at Crossiecrown last year surpassed all expectations. Part of a large Neolithic structure/house was uncovered, with associated midden deposits, rich in Grooved-ware pottery and stone artifacts. The resemblance of this structure to half of the double 'house' at Barnhouse seemed too good to be true. So it was with baited breath that we watched the JCB extend our trench and started to clean back, expecting the mirror image of what we uncovered last year to appear. As with all archaeological excavation, one should always expect the unexpected, and so it was with the Crossiecrown structure. Instead of the other, expected half of the house neatly appearing, the most obvious feature to immediately come to light was a large wall. This would appear to be the remains of an outer revetment which neatly curves round the outside of the house interior uncovered last year. So at present it would appear that last year we did in fact uncover most of the interior of the house. Once again we have encountered a new type of Neolithic house plan. The revetment however was not continuous and appears to have been partially robbed out in antiquity. Several other low walls also appeared, which are not on the same alignment as the original house and partially cover this revetment. This suggests that the structure was altered several times during its lifetime. The exact sequence of these rebuilds and alterations is at present still blurred, but will no doubt become clearer as we progress. The extensions to the original trench have also revealed the remains of several other possible strutures and features. These are all in their initial stages of excavation, and their relationship to the main structure should soon be revealed. So watch this space!!! A further surprise awaited us in a small trench we opened just to the north of the main trench. Several large parallel upright stones appear to have been set into someearlier midden deposits. At present these are a total enigma and their function awits to be assertained. All suggestions welcome. To alleviate these structural problems however the finds on the site have again been superb. Like last year the pottery assemblage appears to be producing some new designs for the Grooved-ware reportoir, with both applied and incised decoration. Debate on site is lively over certain pieces of pot, with opinions differing over the age of certain pieces which do appear to have affiliations with later Bronze Age types. The star find however so far was unearthed by Scott while working on the house interior. A beautifully carved stone object, similar to ones found at Skara Brae and on the island of Sanday to the north was uncovered. The function of such objects is a mystery, and for the time being will fall into the all consuming category of 'Ritual Object'.

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