Orkney's programme of events to celebrate Scottish Archaeology Month in September has been released. The events run throughout the month, starting on Saturday, September 2 at the Orkney Museum.
     Rising tide seminar - Recent work around Europe has uncovered evidence of prehistoric sites that now lie submerged beneath the sea.  Could the same apply to Orkney?  We know that relative sea level was much lower here at the end of the Ice Age and a new project is setting out to investigate the underwater landscape.  A team of archaeologists provide insights from exciting sites in Denmark and the Solent and look at the possibilities from Orkney. Caroline Wickham-Jones – chair and introduction to the work just starting in Orkney; Anders Fischer (National Forest and Nature Agency of Denmark) – The submerged prehistory of Denmark; Sue Dawson (St Andrews University) – Past sea level change and Orkney; Julie Gibson (Orkney Archaeological Trust) – The impact of sea level change on the existing coastline and archaeology of Orkney; Garry Momber (Hants and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology) – Diving for Stone Age sites in the Solent. Tuesday 5th September 6.00 – 8.30pm  in the King Street Hall, Kirkwall. The rising tide seminar will be repeated in the sanday school on thursday 7th september.  6.00 – 8.30pm
     'A fattish kind of stone' - The uses of soapstone in the prehistoric Northern Isles. A talk by Paul Sharman. Wednesday 13th September 7.30 – 9pm  in the Orkney College Lecture Theatre, Kirkwall
     Prehistoric Orkney and the challenge of world heritage sites - Caroline Wickham-Jones. An illustrated lecture to look at the World Heritage Sites in context of prehistoric Orkney. The talk will explore the background and role of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage sites. In addition consideration will be given to what makes a site worthy of World Heritage status and the pros and cons of that as applied to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. After the lecture there will be a chance for informal discussion over a cup of tea before leaving for a visit to the Stones of Stenness (own transport necessary). A small fee will apply to the refreshments with proceeds going to Orkney Heritage.  There will be an opportunity to buy Caroline’s new book: Between the Wind and the Water, World Heritage Orkney as well as other archaeological publications. Saturday 16th September 2.00 – 2.45  in the Stenness Hall followed by an excursion at 3.15pm to the Standing Stones of Stenness
     Visit to the Ring of Brodgar - Historic Scotland Ranger Event. Join the Historic Scotland Rangers for a walk around the Ring of Brodgar and discover why the area is of natural, historical, cultural and archaeological importance. Sunday 17th September. Meet: at 2 pm at the Ring of Brodgar Car Park. Bring: Waterproofs, warm clothing and suitable footwear. Further information: Ranger Service 01856 841 732
     'Skaill Bay – it's not just Skara Brae' - A talk by Historic Scotland’s Monument Warden, Shelagh Grieve to discover some of the lesser-known archaeology of the Skaill Bay area. Friday 29th September 7.30 – 9pm in the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall
     Skaill Bay - Historic Scotland Rangers event. Take a walk with the Historic Scotland Rangers to see some of the archaeology under your feet in the Skaill Bay area. Saturday 30th September. Meet: 2pm in St Peter's Kirk Car Park. Bring: Waterpoofs, warm clothing and suitable footwear. Further information: Ranger Service 01856 841 732

Source: Orkneyjar (5 June 2006)