TEMPORALITY

In Chapter 7, I discussed the materials that make up the fabric of buildings in Neolithic Orkney, and argued that we should look beyond singular and static notions of architecture to explore how those buildings evolved through process. An exploration of the decorated stonework at the Ness of Brodgar started from the same premise, revealing subtle interplays between process, materiality and context. Different techniques - incising, cup-marking, grinding - emerged as apposite in particular temporal and spatial settings, the working and decorating of stone playing an active role in construction and dwelling. This takes us beyond superficial comparisons of structure