Exploring Our Past

As part of our new project to develop a Clyde Valley Archaeological Research Framework, we are 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, was aimed at anyone with an interest in the local history and prehistory of West Central Scotland.

Detail from the sarcophagus at Govan Old Parish Church, perhaps representing St Constantine
(c) CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections

Exploring Our Past provides a fascinating insight into the cultural heritage of the region, with chapters written by specialist authors spanning the Neolithic period to modern times. Each essay focuses on a specific period or topic, reviewing the available evidence and identifying areas for future study. This collection of essays provides us with an accessible overview of West Central Scotland, illustrating the significance of this region throughout the past.

The West Central region includes the local authority areas of East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. These have been kindly provided by Glasgow Life as individual PDFs for each essay which are now available to read as a download by using the links below.

Slezer’s engraving of 17th century Glasgow from the south
(c) Culture and Sport Glasgow (Glasgow Museums)

Click the PDF links below to download and read each essay.

Essay titleAuthor(s)PDF Link
The MesolithicNyree FinlayMesolithic.pdf
The NeolithicGordon NobleNeolithic.pdf
The Iron AgeDerek AlexanderIronAge.pdf
In Search of the Northern Britons in the Early Historic Era (AD 400–1100)Stephen T. DriscollNorthBritons.pdf
The Archaeology of the Later Medieval Period (1100–1600)Derek HallLateMedieval.pdf
The Seventeenth CenturyJohn R. Young17thCentury.pdf
The Eighteenth CenturyStuart Nisbet18thCentury.pdf
The Nineteenth CenturyMichael Moss19thCentury.pdf
Aerial Reconnaissance for ArchaeologyWS HansonAerialReconn.pdf
Designed LandscapesChristopher DingwallDesigned Landscapes.pdf
From Battle to Blitz: Sites of Conflict in West Central ScotlandTony PollardBattleToBlitz.pdf
Local History through FilmJanet McBainFilm.pdf
Oral HistoryAngela Bartie and Arthur McIvorOralHistory.pdf
Discovering Pre-Industrial GlasgowCharles McKeanPre-Industrial.pdf
GraveyardsSusan BuckhamGraveyards.pdf

Essays provided by Glasgow Life

 

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