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Scotland - Strathnaver Province Archaeology Project PDF Print E-mail

Archaeology Field School

Strathnaver Province Archaeology Project


Application Deadline: March 15 2006
Field School Dates: June 10-July 1 2006

University, Company, Institution

Assumption College, MA, USA and Glasgow Unviersity, Scotland

Location of Field School

Strathnaver. Sutherland Scotland

Strathnaver Province Archaeology Project Photos
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Field School Overview

  • Time Period(s): Medieval (Viking/Norse to post-medieval)
  • Field School Access: Drive and then short hike
  • Number of years for field school: This is the third year


    Project Directors

    Dr. Amy Gazin-Schwartz, Dept of Sociology/Anthropology, Assumption College, Worcester, MA
    Dr. Olivia Lelong, Glasgow University Archaeology Research Division, Glasgow, Scotland

    Field School Description

    The Strathnaver Province Archaeology Project is a five year collaborative research project involving staff and students from Assumption College and Glasgow University. The goals of the project are to understand medieval settlement in Strathnaver, in the far north-west of Scotland. In 2004-2005 we excavated structures near Durness.

    In 2006, we will move to the Naver valley, between the villages of Altnaharra and Betyhill. This valley is rich in archaeological sites, from prehistoric burial mounds, to the remains of villages that became deserted in the 18th and 19th centuries as landlords evicted their tenants to turn the land to raising sheep. This summer, we will survey Strathnaver townships with good evidence for Medieval origins, comparing surface remains with potentially Medieval sites already identified near Durness. Trial excavation of selected threatened features in Strathnaver based on the survey results will be conducted to confirm dating, retrieve information about settlement structure and use, and collect artifacts, paleobotanical and faunal materials for comparison with the medieval materials from Borralie.

    Our goals for this season will be to create a detailed record of the visible features on the site, to attempt to date the various features on the sites under study, to collect materials for comparison with the medieval remains from Borralie, and to identify locations with potential to produce further information on medieval settlement in the region. As in past seasons, public archaeology will be an important compoent of the field season, allowing ongoing interaction with the local community.

    Students will be engaged in all parts of the survey, excavation, and public education, and will receive formal and informal instruction in contemporary archaeological survey and excavation methods and in the prehistory and history of the northern Highlands of Scotland. Accommodation will be in well-equipped hostels in Tongue and Bettyhill; students and staff will share cooking duties.



    Field school web site: www.northsutherlandarchaeology.org.uk Field School Size: 1-15
    Minimum age: 18
    Is prior experience required?: No

    Specialized skills you will have the opportunity to learn

    Manual Mapping/drawing (plan views, profiles): Yes
    Total Station EDM mapping: Yes
    Compass mapping survey: Yes
    Traditional Photography: Yes
    Digital Photography: Yes
    Excavation Survey Techniques: Yes
    Interpreting stratigraphy: Yes
    Evening Lectures: no formal lectures, though there may be opportunities to attend community lectures or events

    Additional information for students: Students should expect to work outdoors in all but extreme weather - work only stops for downpours, and then students will sometimes do lab work, sometimes have free time depending on project needs. Days off (weekends) travel is not restricted to local area, though public transportation is limited. There will be occasional field trips to other sites in the north of Scotland.

    Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

    Academic Credit: Yes
    Number of Credits: Number of Credits 3
    Tuition $736
    Name of Institution offering credit

    Room and Board Information: Cost & Description

    Field school fee, in addition to tuition, is $1800 which covers accommodation, board (3 meals / day) and transportation within Scotland, as well as materials, equipment, field trips etc.

    Accommodation will be in well-equipped hostels in the towns of Tongue and Bettyhill, Scotland. Field school participants will share in preparing meals.

    Recommended readings

    www.northsutherlandarchaeoloyg.org.uk
    for background readings on the history and archaeology of Strathnaver, as well as information on the project in general, and the last two field seasons.
    Additional web sites http:www.assumption.edu/nhtml/gradce/conted/TS_Scotland.html
    - application forms are available at this site.

    Archaeology field school contact

    Amy Gazin-Schwartz
    Assumption College
    Worcester
    MA, 01609
    USA
    Telephone - please contact via email.
    Fax
    E-mail: agazin@assumption.edu

    Summary

    Strathnaver is a region rich in archaeological and historic interest. The north of Scotland is an area of great natural beauty. On days off, activities such as hiking, fishing, golfing, bird-watching and sea-life spotting are all within easy reach.
    The project involves Scottish and American students, and provides opportunities for students to engage with local people, both formally in the context of public archaeology and informally in local pubs and shops.
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