This is an innovative project, focusing on the Neolithic monuments across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. These range from the iconic World Heritage Sites of Brú na Bóinne and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney to less well-known henges and timber circles. This international, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral initiative is co-operative, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable, featuring archaeologists, heritage professionals, educators and community groups, in the UK and Ireland and beyond.
In addition to the previous content, we are delighted to have a new Case Study as part of this framework. Awakening Sleeping Giants explores the value of community engagement on the Isle of Arran and aims both encourage and enable local action that is supported by international and national research frameworks and thematic strategies.
Read all about our latest exciting updates including our brand new thematic framework, funding announcements and the launch date of the Antonine Wall framework.
Just in time for the April showers, our newsletter is available now!
Learn more about the SIRFA Symposium and our 10 fantastic bursary recipients, as well as the upcoming SESARF Symposium and the newest frameworks on the horizon for the ScARF website.
We are currently working on the final stages of the South East Scotland Archaeological Research Framework (SESARF) project, and are hosting a one-day symposium on 20th May 2023 at Augustine United Church, Edinburgh. This event will offer you the chance to be involved in the consultation stage of creating SESARF. There will be opportunities for discussion, questions and feedback relating to the SESARF chapters and research questions. We will explore SESARF through chronological sessions and are keen to hear feedback on the draft chapters of the framework.
The drafts for SESARF’s chronological chapters will be available to view by the end of April. In the meantime, we are looking to capture people’s priorities for future research in the SESARF region. These submissions will help to structure the framework, as well as guiding future research in this area.
Please take part in our short survey to contribute what you believe to be key archaeological research questions for the SESARF area of study (City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders), or broader questions that you would like to see addressed or tackled in the future.
About SESARF
SESARF will cover the local authority areas of the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. It is led by the South East Scotland Archaeology Partnership (SESAP), namely the local archaeology services of East Lothian Council, City of Edinburgh Council, and Scottish Borders Council, and supported by the ScARF project at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. This regional research framework is designed to provide more clarity and regional details than could be discussed in the broader Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF).
Please get in touch if you have any questions about the event or framework.
One of our ScARF bursary recipients, Lizzie Robertson, has written a Case Study about her PhD research at the University of Glasgow which involves creating and performing immersive audio experiences in highland landscapes, with a particular focus on the archaeology of Glencoe. Lizzie’s work in Glencoe, which was supported by ScARF in 2022, focussed on testing some of her prototypes of audio experiences in their landscape settings.
If you are a student or Early Career Researcher, keep up to date with our upcoming bursaries by subscribing to our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
Our January newsletter is available now! Find out more about the upcoming SIRFA symposium, our EAA Belfast session and the next thematic framework to be added to the ScARF website.
We are offering a limited number of bursaries for students wishing to attend this year’s Scottish Student Archaeology Society Conference (SSASC) hosted at The University of Aberdeen on the 18th-19th February to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for the two-day conference. This conference is a great opportunity to meet other archaeology students from across Scotland and hear the latest research happening in Scottish universities.
Following a successful bursary application, we ask recipients to write a short case study with an overview of their research or the paper/poster presented at SSASC (if applicable).
To apply, please email our Project Manager (helen@socantscot.org) with an introduction to yourself and a short description of your research interests and why you would like to attend SSASC. Please also include a short statement of support from a supervisor or lecturer.
The closing date for applications is the 8th February 2023, with decisions communicated by the 9th February 2023 to allow time to book transport and accommodation.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about applying and check out our other bursary opportunities here.
The third and final symposium for Scotland’s Islands Research Framework for Archaeology (SIRFA) is taking place from March 24th-27th in Kirkwall, Orkney.
The event will be open to everyone with an interest in archaeological research in the Scottish Isles, including: individuals and organisations whose work involves archaeological research, as well as anyone who engages with the outcomes of research such as museums professionals, commercial archaeologists, academic researchers, archaeology students, community heritage groups, independent researchers and local and national government agencies.
The project began in July 2018, with two symposiums having already taken place in the Western Isles in January 2019, and Shetland in September 2019. Now, with the final Orkney symposium fast approaching, the SIRFA project is in its final stages. Please contact us if you have any questions about SIRFA.
During the course of the symposium, which includes an optional day trip to Hoy (details below), different themes will be explored through talks and discussions in order to identify research gaps and areas of research potential.
Registration for the symposium is now closed as we have reached capacity but you can still click here to join the waiting list just in case some people are unable to make it. The event timetable is below:
SIRFA Orkney Research Questions
The SIRFA team have created a Research Questions Survey for the Orkney Symposium which is now live! If you have any relevant research questions you think need answered, or areas of research that you feel are ignored, please visit the survey here and let your voice be heard.
You don’t need to attend the symposium to submit a question, all ideas welcome!
Hoy fieldtrip
On the 24th March, delegates are invited to join a fieldtrip to Hoy to explore the vast landscape and significant archaeological evidence preserved across the island. A detailed schedule for the trip will be made available soon. The trip costs £25 to cover coach hire and expenses.
If you would like to take part in the trip visit the Hoy fieldtrip page to purchase your ticket for the trip separately.
If you have any issues or questions, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help.
Wrap up with our final newsletter of the year! From our 10th Anniversary celebration to student bursaries, click here to read our highlights of 2022, plus a sneak peak into what’s to come for us in 2023…
The final panel discussion at ScARF 10th Anniversary event (c) ScARF
