Archaeologists Set to Uncover a Medieval Fortress, 5,000-Year-Old Complex and Scotland’s First Railway
The summer dig season returns with fieldwork planned from Dumfries & Galloway to Shetland.
Scotland is shining a spotlight on its world-class archaeology this summer with Scotland Digs 2021. Now in its third year, the campaign will bring together live updates and events for members of the public from 21 June to 22 September.
After the COVID-19 pandemic halted much of the sector’s plans last year, many community-led groups and other dig organisers plan to once again resume fieldwork and welcome members of the public with free site visits and volunteering opportunities.
Several trenches at the 5,000-year-old Neolithic complex at Ness of Brodgar in Orkney will be uncovered during the Scotland Digs 2021 campaign (Image Credit: Hugo Anderson-Whymark)
In Orkney, visitors are invited to watch archaeology in action as excavations resume at the 5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement at the Ness of Brodgar, as well as Skaill farmstead, the site of a large Norse hall discovered in 2019.
In July, the public will have the chance to help investigate the 15th-century ruins of Glengarnock Castle in North Ayrshire with DigVentures and Garnock Connections, where a handful of artefacts – such as a copper alloy sword pommel – suggest that the medieval fortress could be much older.
Towards the end of the summer, volunteers can help the Can You Dig It team search for evidence of prehistoric stone tools in Dumfries & Galloway, and unearth more of Scotland’s first railway and the remains of 17th-century salt making in East Lothian with the 1722 Waggonway Project – no experience required.
Plans are also being finalised for investigations into Mesolithic mountain dwellings in the Highlands by University College Dublin and a 60 square km-wide Neolithic ‘axe factory’ in Shetland by Archaeology Shetland.
The Scotland Digs 2021 campaign, coordinated by the Dig It! project, also highlights work of commercial archaeology units, whose work offsets the impact that development (such as the building of new houses, schools or roads) has on the historic environment.
The 1722 Waggonway Heritage Group are hoping that the public can help them find evidence of the people who operated the historic Waggonway during the campaign (Pictured: The day before the Battle of Prestonpans which was fought across the Waggonway line – Alan Braby © Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust)
Dr Jeff Sanders, Project Manager at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Dig It! project, said:
“A summer of discovery is an exciting prospect and we’re thrilled that many of these sites are able to open up to the public again. Whether they’re community or development led, each one will help add a new chapter to a bigger story. And as Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy outlines, uncovering new stories helps create a connection to past peoples, gives a sense of perspective on what it means to be human, and helps us imagine how the future can be different.”
Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said:
“We are delighted to support Scotland Digs 2021. This is a fantastic incentive to get people of all ages in Scotland involved in archaeology and a great opportunity for volunteers to get hands on fun with excavations and explore the fascinating stories of Scotland’s past.”
Dig It!, which advertises archaeology events throughout the year, is coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland.
For more information, follow #ScotlandDigs2021 or visit the Scotland Digs 2021 webpages.
Header Image: The impressive ruins of Glengarnock Castle in North Ayrshire are set to be the site of a new archaeological investigation during the Scotland Digs 2021 campaign (Credit: DigVentures)
