My random sketches and sound recordings are the raw material for at least two outcomes – to date, a film and a book. The book, which will consider the role of perceptual art in other areas of research, is a thing of the future but the thoughts expressed in this blog are a sketchy start. The film, currently in production, aims to be a reflection of activity on site at the Ness of Brodgar dig – an impression of the everyday process of archaeology. Archaeologists come and go for different periods of time – some new this season and some returning over many years. They also come from near (down the road in Orkney) and far (from all over the world, including Australia). The edit I was working on this morning (while rain stopped digging) combines voices from across the years in one scene. Voices of the Geomatics team who have left now speak with newcomers who never met them. It is starting to give a sense of being here rather than a diary of events.
Today’s random drawing looks across the main trench, with small groups of people working together – or at least if not ‘together’, in the same small space.
And a quick watercolour of the incoming weather as a backdrop to the spoil heap and pile of tyres.
Wearing my researcher’s hat I am logging in spreadsheets all drawings, paintings and sounds, with cross referencing between visual and audio. Towards the end of last season it was suggested that I should also record the archaeological references to my drawings – so that in future it might be possible to link contexts and finds with any drawings that feature them. So a fresh ‘context’ spreadsheet has begun and I am having to go back over four seasons of drawings to bring it up to date…
Many of the drawings that feature contexts will include the people working in them. The archaeologists are now enjoying the prospect of their crouched figures, quite often observed from the rear, being part of this new archive.
The drain whose progress I am following has several context numbers for the various parts of its construction – but may eventually receive one overall context number, which will simplify things. Work around it is developing well and there are hopes for significant change next week.
All news of the drain will no doubt feature on the Ness of Brodgar web site in the Dig Diary.
Today I have been contemplating timing in my relationship with archeology. Sometimes I’m in the right place at the right moment but unprepared. While at other times I am completely prepared but have to wait ages for the right moment.
In Trench X this morning there was great excitement as a beautiful Mace head was found. I was on the spot to draw it being washed – but didn’t have my recorder switched on to catch the sounds of the excitement.
At the other end of the scale I had to wait all day for a large pot to be lifted. I made several drawings of the pot fragments in situ being meticulously excavated – but the surrounds needed to be cleared and the whole area photographed before it could be lifted.
Later this afternoon, after another pause while the pot was drawn in plan, they began delicately transferring the pieces to trays with acid free tissue in them. Then rapid drawing was needed to catch the moment.
In another structure they have recently discovered a deep hole, which is reckoned to be a drain. However, there are a number of necessary processes to be carried out in the surrounding area before it can be investigated further. So I must be patient and keep watch in order not to miss the action. Watch this space…
A certain buzz associated with new discoveries on site today. Week 5 of the 8 weeks has been mentioned as the peak of the dig, and it certainly feels like it. There is still time to explore before the pressure of getting documentation completed hits in weeks 7 and 8.
In Trench X they are excavating a huge pot, potentially the size of a bucket, which appears to have been dropped so that the sides have fallen away like the petals of a flower.
Work is extremely slow as the pot is so crumbly. At the moment they are looking at the inside of the pot so we will have to wait until the pieces are turned over before the decoration shows what type of pot it is.
The north wall of Structure 27 has recently been found and today was beginning to be exposed properly. Meticulous planning using a grid is made of each stage.
A beautiful piece of red sandstone has come into the Finds Hut from Trench T. Amongst the muddy colour of the trench it has a small circular dip in the middle showing the intensity of the dark red – almost Alizarin Crimson perhaps with a touch of Venetian Red.
Work continues clearing midden in the passage between structures 12, 26 and 30. Previously designated the ‘corner of loveliness’, it is still lovely but becoming more complex – like everything else on the Ness of Brodgar.
The Ness of Brodgar Project Manager, who is in charge of finds, together with the resident geologist ‘The Rock Lady’ encourage me to experiment in mark making with rocks from the site. These are usually silt stone or sandstone.
For the past two years I have made ‘spot’ paintings using a range of mediums for each rock: dry marks, mixed with water, and ground in beef fat. It is a mock scientific experiment in which I simply enjoy the amazing range of colours apparent through different amounts of iron oxide – from the palest pinks and ochres through to dark ‘Venetian’ reds.
Today, by way of a rest from contemplating my relationship with archaeology, I returned to play with pigments. Any suitable rock is put in a bag with a sample of its dry mark on paper. There are a lot of them, and more to do. I’ve not yet decided what the next stage will be…
Meanwhile, sketchbook drawing continues to monitor progress in my favourite trenches, and as I had the Art Hut to myself today, I was able to do a portrait of Therese – who found a beautiful axe head last year.
