History of archaeological research
The history of archaeological research and excavation across the Outer Hebrides is rich and diverse. Arguably, there are regions of the Outer Hebridean island chain that represent some of the most comprehensively investigated and understood archaeological landscapes in Northern Europe. Conversely, the region also includes areas that are poorly understood and explored. Similarly, there are periods and themes that have been well addressed through archaeological research, and others where there are glaring gaps.
Historically, the bulk of our archaeological knowledge about the Outer Hebrides comes from university-based, research-driven archaeological projects. This is largely because, compared with other ‘mainland’ areas, there has been relatively little large-scale development work since major infrastructural developments across the islands during the 1950s and 1960s – and thus relatively little developer-funded archaeological work. This situation slowly began to change in the early 2000’s and development pressure has continued to increase across the islands mainly in the form of private and commercial development as well as utility infrastructure replacement. From 2010 onwards the expansion of the renewable industry has led to additional developer funded archaeological mitigation.
Responses to climate change reflected in planning policy have led to further large-scale energy projects, both on and offshore, which are generating substantial archaeological interventions across the region. Looking to the future, the further expansion of the renewables industry, including off and onshore windfarm developments and associated infrastructure requirements, are likely to trigger substantial archaeological interventions across the region. The possibilities from an archaeological research-perspective are exciting.
Àrsairean agus rannsachadh arceòlasach tràth (Antiquarians and early archaeological research)
1950an–1980an (1950s to 1980s)
1980an–2000an (1980s to 2000s)
2000an–an-diugh (2000s to present)
Rannsachadh PhD o chionn ghoirid (Recent PhD research)