Journal
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 12: A stormy coastal walk at Birsay
Wild weather continues in Orkney, yet again making our fieldwork impractical. As a break from reading, Ronnie and I went for a somewhat breezy walk along the coastline near Birsay.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 10: A visit to Stromness Museum
Wet and cloudy weather today in Orkney, so Ronnie and I took the opportunity to visit Stromness Museum.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 9: Success! Our first sunrise projected inside Cuween Hill cairn
Clear skies over Orkney this morning allowed Ronnie and I to record projections of the solar disc inside Cuween Hill chambered cairn at dawn.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 9: Projecting people inside the Tomb of the Eagles
After dawn at Cuween Hill this morngin, continuing clear skies over Orkney encouraged Ronnie and I to visit the Tomb of the Eagles in the afternoon.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 8: Success! Another sunset inside Wideford Hill cairn
Back on the Mainland of Orkney we are planning observations at several sites over the next week. Today, we visited Wideford Hill at dusk.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 7: From Hoy to Stromness
Ronnie and I departed Hoy this morning. There's been quite a change in the weather today, with blustery winds and overcast skies.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 6: The Dwarfie Stanes' neighbours
As it was dry and reasonably bright Ronnie and I explored the landscape around the Dwarfie Stane, including other large boulders nearby.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 5: Spectacular sunset at the Dwarfie Stane
Blue skies in Hoy this evening. The landscape was glowing as Ronnie and I once again walked to the Dwarfie Stane to project the setting sun.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 5: The hills of Hoy
Cloudless skies today in Hoy, so I headed out along the coastline and up into the hills.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 4: Photogrammetry at the Dwarfie Stane
It's an overcast afternoon in Hoy, ideal for recording the Dwarfie Stane in 3D using structure from motion photogrammetry.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 4: Optical Projections at the Dwarfie Stane
Strong sunlight this morning provided excellent conditions for filming projected images inside the Dwarfie Stane.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 3: On the beach at Rackwick
This afternoon we had a break from the Dwarfie Stane. Ronnie got to work with some sketching and painting while I spent a few hours exploring Rackwick beach.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 3: Second sunset at the Dwarfie Stane
Clouds gathered over Hoy this afternoon, but the western sky cleared enough for Ronnie and I to project images of the setting sun inside the chamber of the Dwarfie Stane.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 3: Daytime projections at the Dwarfie Stane
Our second day in Hoy dawned bright and sunny, so Ronnie and I made our way to the Dwarfie Stane to explore daytime projections.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 2: First sunset at the Dwarfie Stane
Our first evening on Hoy. The evening sky seemed to be clearing to the west so we headed out to the Dwarfie Stane.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 2: Introducing the Dwarfie Stane
We've arrived on the island of Hoy and now it's time to become equated with the Dwarfie Stane. This remarkable Neolithic chambered cairn is cut into a single block of sandstone.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 2: The Journey to Hoy
Today, Ronnie and I departed Kirkwall and crossed Scapa Floe to the rugged island of Hoy. Our destination was Rackwick — our base for the next few days while we investigate the Dwarfie Stane.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 1: Sunset at Wideford Hill cairn
After our visit to Yesnaby, Ronnie and I spent the remainder of the afternoon worrying about whether the Orkney skies were going to clear. As evening approached, we made our way to the chambered cairn at of Wideford Hill in light rain and beneath heavy cloud.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 1: The cliffs at Yesnaby
After landing in Stromness we had time for a wander along the spectacular cliffs at Yesnaby.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 1: Heading North...
Ronnie Scott and I have once again headed north and crossed the Pentland Firth aboard the MV Hamnavoe to Orkney. We’re here for two weeks of archaeo-optics fieldwork on Hoy and the Mainland.