6.10.6 High-Status Sites

Priority 1:

Two early medieval forts are now known in the area and it is probable others exist. Confirming these will require further targeted excavation, but they can now be more easily identified given their recognisable archaeological signature. It is important, however, to better understand their environmental context, relationship to other contemporary sites and monuments, and to explore their political role and peer and trading networks within Scotland and beyond.

Priority 2:

The region is at the centre of a nationally important story of the creation of the medieval state. It has been described, in the context of Forteviot and the SERF Project, as the Cradle of Scotland, the title given to the joint Hunterian Museum and Perth Museum exhibition that shared the results of the excavations (see https://serfexhibition.archaeology.arts.gla.ac.uk). There is a need to better understand the processes behind this development in the latter part of the period, and the relationship between power centres in lower Strathearn, the estuary and River Tay, including Forteviot, Abernethy, Rathinveralmon and Scone.

Priority 3:

The Moot Hill at Scone is one of the most important early medieval assembly mounds in Scotland (O’Grady 2014; 2018). While preliminary research has been carried out on other sites in the area (O’Grady 2008; Hall et al 2005, 310–1; Hall 2015), there is scope for more detailed research and fieldwork to enhance our understanding of these and bringing the insights of excavation and studies of monumental art closer together. The recent Early Kingship project has opened several lines of enquiry for the understanding of the development of kingship in Pictland (the edited papers of the project are forthcoming as Hall, Sanmark and Geddes). 

Research Questions