Here comes the sun! Our June newsletter is now available. We have exciting updates, including the launch date for the Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework (PKARF) and ScARF’s 10th Anniversary event.

Click here to read the newsletter.

One of our Early Career Researchers has written a new Case Study about her MLitt research.

Kath is a postgraduate student at the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute. She is using zooarchaeological techniques to analyse and explore the significance of red deer during Orkney’s Neolithic period. Kath will continue this work with a PhD at UHI, and we look forward to hearing more about this fascinating work as it progresses.

Read the full Case Study here to learn more about Kath’s ongoing research.

Shake off those April showers! Read the new ScARF newsletter to stay up to date with our ongoing projects and meet our new team member. We also have an exciting announcement about the future of ScARF! Click here to read.

ScARF is pleased to be able to share a much loved resource focussing on West Central Scotland. Exploring Our Past: Essays on the Local History and Archaeology of West Central Scotland, published by Glasgow Museums in 2015. The book was aimed at anyone with an interest in the local history and prehistory of West Central Scotland.

As part of our new project to develop a Clyde Valley Archaeological Research Framework, we are excited to offer this fully accessible resource which highlights the significance and research potential of the region throughout history and prehistory, with essays spanning the Neolithic period to modern times.

Click here to read and download each essay.

Have you read ScARF’s newest case studies?

Our Archaeological Science framework has been expanding recently, including two new case studies on The Medieval Bishops of Whithorn and Dietary Isotope Analysis at Portmahomack which are now available on the ScARF website. Both were written for us by Dr Shirley Curtis-Summers and are the first new science case studies to be added as part of our ongoing project to update the national Archaeological Science Research Framework. 

Two case studies written by our Early Career Researchers explore Post-medieval upland features in Glencoe, as well as the material evidence of Conversion to Christianity in the Northern and Western Isles.

In 2021, Eddie and Scott received ScARF Covid-19 bursaries to support fieldwork contributing to their PhDs. As part of Eddie’s research, a series of post-medieval upland features in Gleann Leac-na-Muidhe, Glencoe were surveyed and excavated. Eddie’s research aims to explore the relationship between shieling practice and other upland seasonal industries in the post-medieval Highlands and Islands and aims to re-evaluate interpretations and narratives around these landscapes. His research will involve a series of case studies across upland Scotland utilising archival research, walkover survey and excavation.

Scott’s research aims to make a comparative study of material culture of Christian conversion in the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland. He was able to visit 21 Orcadian sites in three weeks, surveying and recording sites in their landscape as well as noting experiential data such as sounds and impressions of the landscape, producing a huge amount of raw data to form the basis for his research in the coming year.

If you would like to contribute a case study or enquire about our Early Career Research opportunities, please get in touch. 

Spring into 2022!

Check out our March ScARF newsletter which was sent out last week to all our subscribers.

Click here to take a look at the latest ScARF news including an online workshop for our new Clyde regional research framework project, an update from the Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework, new Case Studies recently added to our Science Framework and news about some upcoming events. 

Our first Newsletter of 2022 is available to download here.

Find out the latest about our regional research framework consultations, the Scottish Student Archaeology Societies Conference and some new Early Career Researcher case studies which are now available on the ScARF website.

The ScARF team is now starting to make plans for the next phase of the development of regional research frameworks across Scotland and is beginning to create plans for some new projects.

One of these regions, we are proposing for a new project, is west-central Scotland – or the Clyde Valley. This will comprise all the local authorities that surround the Clyde river catchment: East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

ScARF is currently working in collaboration with Northlight Heritage and the University of Glasgow to develop a project proposal to develop this new framework and we want to speak to as many people as possible to discuss issues, opportunities and proposed methodologies. In January, we held two online workshops with some key stakeholders in the region and would now like to open up discussions to anyone with an interest in the archaeology and heritage of the region and who has an interest in a new Clyde Valley Framework for the region.

An online open workshop to explain more about the proposed project and to gather some initial thoughts and ideas will be taking place on Wednesday 9th March between 13:00 – 15:30. The workshop will be led by Dr Helen Spencer (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland), Dr Gavin MacGregor (Northlight Heritage) and Dr Kenny Brophy (University of Glasgow).

To register for a place please go to Eventbrite

For further information or to have an informal chat please get in touch.

Have you seen the latest Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2021 magazine?

The magazine, brought to you by Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy, showcases some of the amazing archaeological work that has taken place over the last year. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you can now do so from the ScARF website. This year’s issue is as topical as ever, highlighting the work archaeologists are doing to understand and mitigate against climate change, to bring hidden and obscured histories to light, and use our heritage to improve wellbeing. Articles range across a wide variety of subjects, from project updates and new research to changes in heritage practice.

You can download this year’s Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland magazine here.

The Five Year Review of the Scottish Archaeology Strategy is also available to download here

You can also head to the Scottish Archaeology Strategy website for more information.

Our last newsletter of 2021 is out now! Check it out for the latest ScARF news announcing the shortlisting of the Highland Archaeological Research Framework for Archaeology Achievement Awards, an update from the Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework, a brand new ECR case study and dates for your diary!

Our December newsletter can be accessed here.

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