Special Conditions

Applicants for this summer program should understand that the program provides unique physical challenges while in the field. The number one priority is the safety of participants.

• Unpredictable weather extremes: Sitting in the North Atlantic, Orkney can be sunny and warm one minute and wet, cold, and windy the next. Typically temperatures will be in the fifties and sixties but can change rapidly. Participants need to be prepared for rain, wind, sun, cold temperatures, warm temperatures, and midges (tiny annoying biting insects that only come out when the weather is calm and warm). Participants will be encouraged to dress in layers to account for the alternating weather conditions.
• Working Conditions:  As members of an archaeological excavation, participants will be outside for extended periods of time, even during prolonged rains. Snack and lunch breaks will also be taken outside. All team members are responsible to bring their own snacks and lunches and you are encouraged to bring a waterproof lunch carrier. Living and working in such close proximity to fellow excavators has the potential for great rewards such as building strong camaraderie and promoting a comfortable and secure “dorm-like” living arrangement. It also has the potential to be very challenging at times. Participants need to be accepting and patient with others in the program and understand that their actions affect those of the whole group.
• Physical Expectations:  Beyond tolerance for changes in weather, participants will be expected to carry buckets of soil and push soil-filled wheeled barrows. light lifting of rocks, wood supports, etc. may also be necessary. For much of the day, excavators are crouched down on their knees and sometimes can be seen laying on their stomachs.
• Food:  Participants are responsible for purchasing food and preparing their own meals. Students are encouraged to pair up and cook in teams to minimize cost, increase efficiency and build camaraderie. The hostel used for student housing has a kitchen where participants can prepare their meals. A full-size “Co-op” grocery store is near the hostel.  Students are sharing kitchens (storage and cooking) with other students and a private kitchen for those with severe allergies (examples include celiac, nuts) is not available.

Location

Ness of Brodgar, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Orkney College, University of Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute

Professor

Scott Pike, Professor of Environmental Science and Archaeology, Willamette University

Credits

This program is open to students from ALL majors and should also be considered by students without any or limited background in archaeology. 

• 4.0 credits of ARCH 355, Archaeology Field School OR
• 4.0 credits of ARCH 498, Advanced Archaeology Field School (for students who have already taken ARCH 355)

Grading

The first course, ARCH 355 is a credit/no credit (CR/NC) course.  The advanced course, ARCH 498, earns a letter grade (A-F).

Dates

2023 Dates: Saturday, July 15th - Saturday, August 19th.

Arrival date:  Accepted students will receive specific dates and arrival instructions at the pre-departure meeting during spring semester.  Please DO NOT book travel until instructed by the OIE staff.

Costs

2023 cost: $5,760 for WU students ($5,960 for non-WU students) based on 13 people.  Cost can increase if we do not meet our minimum participation of 13 students.  

• The program cost includes WU tuition, lodging, local transportation, ferry fees, study abroad health insurance, museum fees, and field trips.
• The program cost DOES NOT include meals so that students can economize as they choose with a suggested budget of $750 for food.
• Transportation to and from the island is NOT included (est. $2,500).

Scholar- ships

Willamette University students who are interested in participating in the field school are encouraged to apply to the Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology Student Field School Grants that provide some funding (up to $2,000) toward the cost of the program and travel to and from the site.

Interested in learning more?

Program and site information:

• Willamette University Archaeology Field School
• The Ness of brodgar excavation
• Ness of Brodgar - Neolithic
• Facebook:  Friends of the Ness of Brodgar
• Instagram:  Ness of Brodgar
• American Friends of the Ness of Brodgar

The site and the Willamette program have been featured in a number of places:

• A StoryMap of Neolithic Orkney:  a tour of Orkney's stone circles, tombs and villages to bring the 5,000 year old mysteries and discoveries alive
• Ness of Brodgar wins 2019 Shanghai Archaeology Forum Field Discovery Award. Over 140 programs were nominated and one award was given out in each of two categories:  Field Discovery (the one given to the Ness) and Research. 
• June 2017 video about the Ness -- includes amazing video of work on the site plus interviews
• July 2014 National Geographic feature
• February 2013 feature on PBS
• The Ness of Brodgar was featured in the Jan/Feb 2013 edition of Archaeology magazine.
• A 12-minute video of images from the site is available for viewing.
• An October 6, 2012 Guardian/Observer article "Neolithic discovery: why Orkney is the centre of ancient Britain." Also in the Observer.
• The site was also featured in National Geographic News in late January 2012.
• A profile of a former student participant.