Life in South East Scotland has changed dramatically during the modern period. In AD 1800, an ordinary person living in the region was likely to live in the countryside or a small town. They probably had a job which entailed heavy manual labour. Travel was usually on foot and long-distance journeys were beset with challenges. Perhaps most significantly, their personal possessions were limited in number and largely created by artisans, perhaps working in or around their local community. In contrast, by AD 2000, an average inhabitant of South East Scotland probably lived in the City of Edinburgh or in a large town. They were likely to work indoors in a desk-based or service role. Travel was typically by car. Meanwhile, even the relatively poor often had large numbers of belongings, usually mass-produced overseas.
The modern period has seen remarkable societal alterations, which have reshaped the economy, environment, architecture, and material culture of the region. Nevertheless, the transformation has not been total. Older road networks influence modern transport routes. Historic burghs provide the nucleus of modern towns. Flocks of sheep (albeit of modern breeds) still graze in valleys which have sustained pastoral farming for generations. Assessing the pace of change, and the aspects which are characterized by continuity, are a key challenge for understanding the modern period.
Archaeological study of the modern period differs in key ways to that of earlier eras. In many periods, there is a shortage of material evidence to study. In contrast, our proximity to the 19th and 20th centuries means that vast amounts of physical evidence has survived. Frequently, the challenge is one of assessing what is of importance in a vast quantity of material. The modern period is also unusual in that it has large amounts of written documentation and, from the mid-19th century onwards, was also recorded visually in photographs. This means that we have more ways to investigate questions about the region post-1800 AD than we do for earlier periods. At times historical study, rather than archaeological, will be a more time-effective to approach certain topics.
Nevertheless, archaeology still has an important role in considering South East Scotland in the modern period. When we consider phenomena like urbanization, the historical record disproportionately documents the attitudes of local elites. In contrast, excavations can provide insights into the reality of the experience for a wider cross-section of society. Similarly, whilst architect’s plans provide insights into grand visions for buildings, standing building recording can reveal the practicalities of construction and the extent to which designer’s ideas were realised. The material evidence casts light on aspects of society which are not revealed by the partial record of written and photographic sources.