ARCHAEOLOGISTS have found a human arm bone during an excavation of Neolithic buildings at Ness of Brodgar on Orkney.
The University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, leading the dig, believe the bone was deliberately placed and could be the remains of a respected original founder of the large complex.
Ness of Brodgar site director Nick Card described it as an important and exciting find.
He said there were several theories as to who the arm belonged to which would be explored further.
The Ness of Brodgar is a new archaeological discovery in Orkney located between the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.
The site has a huge amount of Neolithic art, a massive enclosing stone wall, houses, and a large building of great significance.
Archaeologists have been carrying out excavations at the site since 2002 and have found Neolithic buildings, artwork, pottery, animal bones and stone tools. Six years ago, archaeologists found proof that Neolithic people were using paint to decorate their buildings as well as using stone as roofing material.
In a previous interview, Card described the Ness of Brodgar was “unique”.
He added: “I think most people prior to the Ness being discovered would think of Stone Age buildings on the scale of those at Skara Brae.
“What we have at the Ness is a huge man-made mound which comprises of a sequence of very large, architecturally advanced and spectacular buildings contained within a massive walled enclosure.
“The scale and complexity and the beauteous nature of the stonework and really every other aspect of the Ness tells us that this wasn’t a domestic site but something a lot more special.
“The site is transforming our understanding of many aspects of the Neolithic.”
Previous finds at the archaeology site include polished stone mace heads, axes, carved stone balls, flint and tools.
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