Time Team Returns to Orkney to Investigate Geophysical Anomaly at World Famous Neolithic Site

The team return to the Ness of Brodgar as mysterious circular feature prompts new excavation in partnership with The Ness of Brodgar Trust.

Following a new Time Team documentary released this week archaeologists prepare to investigate an intriguing geophysical anomaly at one of Europe's most important Neolithic sites.

Further investigations and a new excavation by the team at the Ness of Brodgar this summer hope to uncover further details around the discovery of a mysterious circular feature revealed during a final phase of geophysical survey at the world-famous archaeological site.

The circular feature (Shown above), identified during ground-penetrating radar surveys carried out after the final excavation season in 2024, has prompted a new, targeted excavation in partnership with the Ness of Brodgar team. While archaeologists do not yet know exactly what lies beneath the surface, the anomaly represents an exciting new chapter in the story of one of Britain's most significant prehistoric landscapes.

 Image Credit: Sigurd Towrie

The discovery is first revealed in Time Team's brand-new documentary, premiering in Orkney on Friday 3rd July, before becoming available to Time Team members on Patreon later that evening before wider release. The film will receive its public YouTube premiere on 18th July.

The documentary follows the final weeks of excavation at the Ness before the trenches were backfilled, documenting both the end of more than two decades of fieldwork and the remarkable geophysical survey that hinted there may still be more to discover.

Now, as the documentary is released, Time Team has returned to Orkney to investigate the newly identified feature alongside the Ness of Brodgar team.

Dr John Gater, Time Team's geophysics expert, said:

"The survey revealed something none of us were expecting. At this stage we simply don't know exactly what the feature represents. It could prove to be archaeology of a different period, perhaps even a Bronze Age burial cairn, or maybe even something more exciting... That's exactly why we're going back to investigate."

Image: John Gater & Nick Card / Credit: Sigurd Towrie

Tim Taylor, Creator and Executive Producer of Time Team, said:

"One of the most exciting things about archaeology is that it never really ends. Even after years of excavation, new technology can reveal fresh questions we never thought to ask. The Ness of Brodgar has transformed our understanding of Neolithic Britain over the past two decades, and the possibility that there's still another chapter waiting to be uncovered is incredibly exciting. We're delighted to be returning to work alongside the Ness team once again."

Image © Time Team | Dr John Gater & Tim Taylor MBE, Creator & Series Producer of Time Team

The excavation will take place throughout July as part of a research project designed to answer the questions raised by the geophysical survey.

The new dig follows Time Team's long association with Orkney, stretching back more than two decades. Dr John Gater carried out some of the earliest geophysical surveys at the Ness, helping identify the extraordinary archaeology that would later become internationally renowned.

The new documentary also explores the emotional conclusion of the original excavation, featuring interviews with project directors Nick Card, Professor Mark Edmonds and Anne Mitchell, alongside cutting-edge visualisations and expert analysis explaining why the Ness of Brodgar continues to reshape our understanding of Neolithic Britain.

The documentary follows the final 2024 excavation season and the geophysical survey that led directly to the 2026 return excavation.

Thanks to the support of Time Team's Patreon members, both the documentary and the new excavation have been independently funded, allowing audiences to follow the archaeological investigation as it unfolds throughout July. Additional support provided by the Ness of Brodgar Trust, the American Friends of the Ness of Brodgar, UHI Archaeology Institute and the Orkney Islands Council.

Documentary Release Schedule

• 3 July – World premiere at the Ness of Brodgar, followed by exclusive pre-release on Patreon HERE
• 18 July – Public YouTube premiere on Time Team Official YouTube channel
• Time Team digging on site from 6^th July to early August
• Sir Tony Robinson is back filming with Time Team for this excavation 
• Throughout July, Time Team members on Patreon will also receive behind-the-scenes updates as excavation continues at the Ness, plus will be gain exclsive access to the full extended new GPR results of the entire site.