Europe - Scotland - Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) Archaeology Fieldschool

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The Fieldschool is centred around Forteviot, Perthshire: located in the heart of Scotland.

University of Glasgow

The SERF fieldschool offers three options for participation:

1) Basic Archaeological Training course (from 2 August 2010 to 8 August 2010) no credits, £200: an intensive hands-on introduction to the essential archaeological field skills, from excavation and recording to various survey techniques.

2) Extended Basic Archaeological Training course (from 2 August 2010 to 22 August 2010) no credits, £600: an extended introductory course in archaeological practice, excavation and survey with further opportunities to consolidate your field skills

3) Archaeological Field Practice credited module (from 2 August to 29 August 2010) 20 SCOTCAT credits: equivalent to 10 ECTS credits or 5 US/Canadian credits, £808: combines an introduction of field practice with classroom based learning taking place over the three week summer season in the field with an additional week of post-excavation study

Accommodation (with all meals included) can be arranged through SERF for £260/week staying at the Strathallan School in Forgandenny.

SERF will arrange for travel to the fieldschool from Glasgow, Scotland.

The Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) project was created to investigate the character and development of the complex landscape of Forteviot in Perthshire, Scotland. Archaeological traces of a Pictish cemetery, along with documentary evidence and a rich collection of Pictish sculpture point to the significance of Forteviot during this period. It was in the 9th century AD that Kenneth MacAlpin (the first Pictish king of a united Scotland) is said to have died in the ‘palacium’ of Forteviot – a royal centre. This same place was also of a centre of activity and significance several thousand years before Kenneth MacAlpin. Archaeological evidence has revealed Forteviot to have been a prehistoric ceremonial complex from the Neolithic into the Bronze Age.

The SERF project aims to explore what it is about Forteviot and the wider Strathearn region that created this regional centre in such different social and political situations, and whether there were connections between the prehistoric complex and the much later establishment of the royal centre at Forteviot.

The fieldschool run through the University of Glasgow provides an opportunity for students to participate in a dynamic and multifaceted research project. Here you will have the opportunity to learn a variety of fieldwork methods and techniques which all contribute to this exciting project.

Excavation and Survey

Multiperiod: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish, Medieval and Post-medieval

During the fieldschool we are based at the Strathallan School at Forgandenny, located near Perth. From here we travel to the various locations of excavation and survey in the fertile river plain and low rolling hills of Strathearn. Evening lectures and activities will take place at Strathallan School.

SERF provides transport from Strathallan School to the various sites each day.

In the field from 9:00-5:00 everyday except Mondays

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Professor Stephen Driscoll, University of Glasgow (Co-Director)
Dr. Kenneth Brophy, University of Glasgow (Co-Director)
Dr. Gordon Noble, University of Aberdeen (Co-Director)

Specialised Instruction also provided by:
Dr. Tessa Poller, University of Glasgow
Dr. Ewan Campbell, University of Glasgow
Dr. Meggen Gondek, University of Chester
Dr. Chris Dalglish, University of Glasgow
Dr. Michael Given, University of Glasgow
Dr. Jeremy Huggett, University of Glasgow
Dr. Allan Hall, University of Glasgow
Ms. Lorraine McEwan, University of Glasgow
Mr. Gert Peterson, University of Glasgow

Excavation & Field Recording
Finds Processing
Environmental Processing
Topographic Survey
Walkover Survey
Standing Building Survey
Geophysical Survey
Data Processing & Archiving

Alternative tasks indoors will be arranged

Options for field visits and social activities will be organised

There will be various organised thematic lectures which will cover topics on all aspects of the SERF project as well as more practical based topics on archaeological field methodology.

Prof. Stephen Driscoll
Department of Archaeology
University of Glasgow
Gregory Building
Lilybank Gardens
Glasgow
G12 8QQ