During our Volunteers' Week 2023 festivities, we are raising awareness about the multitude of volunteering opportunities available and highlighting just how simple it is to get involved. We are also sharing some inspirational volunteering stories from organisations as well as personal stories form volunteers on what volunteering means to them.
Here is the Ness of Brodgar story:
Every year, the Ness of Brodgar archaeological project relies on volunteers – to make the excavation season happen, to process the many artefacts and information from the 5,000-year-old site, but also to ensure visitors have a memorable time.
Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains which happens post-excavation. Their volunteer cohort helps in the preparation for that analysis to get underway.
For every two months of excavation at the Ness, there are at least ten months, years even, of pulling together the basics of that excavation period. Before anything can happen, data must be organised, records scanned and recorded, bones washed and examined, pots cleaned and photographed and much, much more. This lets the specialists who do the science get straight to the core part of their study with all the data they need ready to go. The volunteer team enables them to carry out this hands-on work.
Many volunteers can also be found on site during the excavation season, where they dig, work on finds, welcome visitors and demonstrate many skills to visitors to our Ness Open Days.
The Ness Meet-and-Greet team are the vital public-facing volunteers. They welcome visitors, marshal the car park and help with the fundraising efforts. The most important skill to have is to enjoy helping people and the desire to welcome visitors who may know nothing of Orkney, the Ness or archaeology. That and a love of being outdoors as you will need to keep a smile on your face whatever the Orkney weather throws at you.
If you are group or organisation looking for volunteers or you would like to volunteer and are searching for the ideal role, get in touch with us by calling 01856 872897 ext 311 or emailing volunteering@vaorkney.org.uk.
