Scottish Student’s Archaeology Society Conference (SSASC), University of Edinburgh (Scotland), February 2025
In February 2025, with support from ScARF and the Edinburgh Archaeology Society, I attended the Scottish Student Archaeology Society Conference (SSASC) hosted by the Edinburgh Archaeology Society at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). The SSASC involves students from various Scottish universities in exploring the most recent research and findings in archaeology. Emphasising student speakers allows for the presentation of new approaches, methodologies and perspectives regarding the future of archaeology. Following the submission of my MRes, this conference constituted an opportunity to share the results of my research and gain presentation skills.
The Scottish Student Archaeology Society Conference (SSASC) covers all themes within archaeology, with presentations and posters covering a wide range of subjects, including bioarchaeology, prehistoric tools and the archaeology of music. The conference also provided networking opportunities with employers and industry representatives holding stalls.
The first day was dedicated to the speakers’ presentations, with a ceilidh in the city centre in the evening. On the second day, the University of Aberdeen Archaeology Society hosted a panel titled ‘Protecting our Past, Ensuring our Future: Climate Change and Archaeology’ with industry experts (Ellie Graham, Katja Watson, Dr Mairi Davies and Dr Rowan Jackson) who discussed the effects of climate change in archaeology, conserving our heritage, and how archaeology can be utilised in the fight against climate change. The panel also discussed training opportunities and insight for individuals interested in a career related to climate change. Following the panel, a charity raffle organised by Glasgow University Archaeology Society took place. An Awards ceremony followed, where prizes for best presentation (Peter Lawson), best poster (Moira Piazzoli), as well as Archaeology Scotland’s Student Awards for best undergraduate (Maja Bergman and Tracy Brook) and postgraduate dissertation (Calum Muir and Thomas Macmillan), was awarded.
My presentation mainly consisted in knowledge distribution by sharing the results of my Master by Research (MRes) entitled ‘Farming and feasting in Iron Age Orkney: a comparison of livestock farming practices and dietary traditions at The Cairns, Mine Howe, Pool, and Howe, based on mortality profiles analyses of cattle, sheep/goat, and pig mandibles’. A brief explanation of the methodology utilised a summary of my results and the implications of those results for the interpretation of husbandry practices and the role of animals in the selected archaeological sites during this period, such as the presence of feasting and possible sheep milking.
The opportunity to attend and present at SSASC was a way to formally introduce myself to academia, make new connections, and see what other archaeological research is being done in other Scottish universities. This conference was ideal for a first event as being surrounded by other students removed some nervousness and performance pressure and allowed for constructive feedback. ScARF’s support was indispensable for my attendance at this event which made an incredibly positive impact on my personal development and future career in archaeology.