News
Bennachie Landscapes - Summer Events 2012
The Bennachie Landscapes Project is undertaking a series of events to explore the history and heritage of this NE landmark. Events start on the 5th May and finish on the 16th June. For full details of how to get involved, from learning about archaeological research techniques to recording sounds on the hill, please click on this electronic Bennachie Project Leaflet (pdf 2.2Mb).
Archaeological Research in Progress Conference 2012 - 26th May Aberdeen
The ARP Conference returns once more to the NE on the 26th May. There is an exciting programme of talks about recent work in the Aberdeenshire area, as well as bookstalls and displays. A sandwich lunch is included. Full booking details are available from the Archaeology Scotland website.
New NE Scotland Metal-Detecting Club
A new Club for the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area has been set up for metal-detectorists. The website, www.doricdiggers.com, hosts an online forum, picture gallery of finds, and details of the regular events held by the knowledgable members.
Balbithan Wood Prehistoric Landscape Project
The Forestry Commission Scotland’s forest at Balbithan Wood, Kintore contains a fragile, 4000 year old relict landscape comprising the remains of Bronze Age houses and agriculture. This fascinating and rare prehistoric settlement survives because the land was more marginal compared to surrounding fields and was not subject to intensive modern ploughing. The settlement is managed by the Forestry Commission in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council’s Archaeology Service who have provided technical support to land managers over the years. Despite the fact that this ancient settlment has been subject to 3-4000 years of active use including commercial forestry the remains of houses are still clearly visible and it is possible to walk round buildings our ancestors built and lived in. While the settlement has been know about for over 100 years very little research has been undertaken on the site. In order to address this Murray Cook of Oxford Archaeology North is leading an international team over the next five years to survey and date this ancient settlement, with the first excavations being completed this August.
New Radiocarbon dates for Cairn More Hillfort
In recent years Murray Cook, of Oxford Archaeology North, has been working with local volunteers and students in the North East on the 'Hillforts of Strathdon Project', which has resulted in some exciting new dates for these imposing sites. A summary of this work is available in the final article of the Ian Shepherd Memorial Conference Papers, detailed below. Since then new dating results have just come through for Cairn More Hillfort (detailed in our online database under reference number NJ52SW0008). The fort comprises an oval trivalate enclosure where the outer outer enclosure comprises a soil bank and ditch, the middle a substantial stone wall and the inner a smaller stone built wall. Charcoal tested from a destruction layer above the middle rampart yielded a calibrated date of AD 500-630. In addition, charcoal tested from the foundation cut of the outer rampart gives a calibrated date of AD 410-550. Within this same foundation cut were two brooch moulds and a pin mould that are likely to be Early Historic in origin. These dates and finds will help us to understand better the changes between the Iron Age to the Early Historic or Pictish period in this part of Scotland.
Ian Shepherd Memorial Conference - Papers Online
Organised by his former peers from across the country, a very successful day-conference was held in December to celebrate the life and work of Ian Shepherd, who was Regional Archaeologist here in the NE. The papers from that conference, covering everything from the latest research topics to community field projects, are now available from Our Projects section of the website.
New Archaeology Map of the NE Scotland Launched
We have produced a map of the best archaeological sites to visit in the North East. The map has information on the types of site that you can see, where they are and a brief description of the best ones to visit. It also includes assistance on how to find them by road, and a guide on how difficult they are to access. The maps can be purchased for £6 from various local outlets or direct from ourselves.
