Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework is designed to be the go-to research resource for Scottish archaeology, one which provides an overview of the subject and also a set of useful and relevant research questions for everyone to use.

More about ScARF

Regional Research Frameworks

Regional frameworks complement the national ScARF but focus on assessing the state of knowledge in each region and how it differs from the national picture.

More about Regional Frameworks

South East Scotland Archaeological Research Framework

Brand-new chapters have now been added to this framework, which showcases the wealth of archaeological evidence in the South East region and provides useful research questions to inform future work.

Future Thinking on Carved Stones in Scotland

Brand-new prehistoric rock art sections and case studies are now available, complimenting the original Future Thinking on Carved Stones in Scotland framework and offering up-to-date insights into rock art research in Scotland. You’ll find the updates in sections 2.1, 3.3.2 and FTCSS Case Studies.

Contribute to ScARF

Did you know our frameworks are updatable?

If you have answered a research question, or have an update to add about a specific site or period, you can use our inline comments to flag the change and keep the frameworks up to date.

Register for an account, or login now to add updates and comments to our existing frameworks. All contributions will be monitored by the ScARF team.

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Latest News

ScARF Bursaries

ScARF aims to encourage and support research through our Student and ECR Bursary scheme.

This is open to undergraduates, postgraduates and ECR’s studying or working within Scottish Archaeology.

View details

Case Study of the Month: Challenging the ‘monumentality’ of some megalithic structures

An analysis of architectural changes of Orkney-Cromarty multi-period chambered cairns within the northern Scottish Neolithic.

Tracing the Lines: Grooved Ware Catalogue

The Historic Environment Scotland-funded project Tracing the Lines: Uncovering Grooved Ware Trajectories in Neolithic Scotland, coordinated by Drs Alex Gibson and Mike Copper of the University of Bradford, aimed to investigate the nature and timing of the spread of Grooved Ware beyond Orkney. You can Download the database created as part of the project here.

ECR Research – Case Studies

The newest addition to the Student Network, this section aims to provide a platform for Early Career Researchers to share exciting and innovative research covering all aspects of Scottish archaeology

ScARF Skills Workshops

Collaborating with museums and experts, ScARF organises one-day skills workshops designed for any individuals who are involved with, or has an interest in museum collections and archaeological research in Scotland. Find out more information about past and future workshops here.

ScARF is managed by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and grant funded by Historic Environment Scotland as a key part of its commitment to Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.