We had a huge response today at the Ness of Brodgar open day. There was a very big turnout, both of archaeology staff and artists and craftspeople, and of visitors. Christopher and our ten-year-old were busy all afternoon with the bow drill and the hematite colouring, to show how the beautiful stone artefacts from the Ness were made.
The bow drill in action at the Ness of Brodgar open day
Meanwhile, I, Raggie, was in the sales tent manning the chocolate table. It was great to meet so many people who were genuinely interested in discussing chocolate archaeology — and trying some, of course.
Raggie mans the chocolate stand at the Ness of Brodgar Open Day
I have been thinking about how to develop new chocolate artefacts, which finds to choose and which flavours to add. To that end, I got some valuable advice from the visitors today. In questionnaires, I was advised that the chocolate being something local and genuine from Orkney was the most important thing and that most buyers were buying as a gift. The second most important point was that Fairtrade matters to people. While I have always sourced the chocolate we use from a Fairtrade supplier, I will now make it a priority to register Brodgar Archaeological Chocolate with the Fairtrade Foundation so I can show their logo on the boxes.
