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2005 News
November-December 2004
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Research Agenda for Orkney

Historic Scotland , Orkney Islands Council and Orkney College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands have collaborated to produce a research agenda for 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site'. This agenda provides the most up-to-date overview of the present state of knowledge of Orcadian archaeology; one of Scotland and the world's most important archaeological areas.

Speaking about the importance of the publication, Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said: "We feel that this research agenda sets the standard and will be a model for World Heritage Site managers throughout the world, as well as others dealing with the challenges and opportunities of their local archaeological inheritance elsewhere in Scotland."

17 key experts have been involved in the publication

The aims of the research agenda are to:

• Define the scope of extant and desirable research in and around the World Heritage Site.
• Identify gaps in our knowledge
• Outline the potential of the area to answer research questions
• Encourage inter-disciplinary research into a broad spectrum of topics within the World Heritage Site and its wider context
• Encourage research which will contribute to enhanced preservation, conservation, management and interpretation issues
• Encourage research with wider methodological and/or theoretical applications.

Copies of the research agenda can be downloaded from Historic Scotland's website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/orkneyresearch

Bronze Age droppings reveal health of ancients

Archaeologists have found rare 3000-year-old human fossilised droppings revealing the healthy diet of Scotland's ancient inhabitants.

Work on a Bronze Age farmhouse in Catpund, Shetland, has unearthed the coprolites, which give clues on the population, health and wealth distribution of the former islanders. The research has provided data on prehistoric diseases and may shed more light on the environments and evolution of plants and animals.

Beverley Ballin Smith, archaeological project manager at Glasgow University, said: "The inhabitants appeared to be cultivating a little enclosure around the house with grain. This was probably part of their diet alongside meat and fish. They would have had mainly sheep but it's possible they had cows or goats. They would have had the best diet possible in that type of environment, with plenty of roughage and fibre." She added: "It is very rare to find coprolites on archaeological sites, but in the northern isles of Scotland there can be excellent preservation."

Source: The Scottish Herald (17 March 2005) http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/35408.html

The 7th International Conference on the Mesolithic in Europe

Belfast, Northern Ireland

August 29 - September 2, 2005

Meso 2005 will explore many of the issues pertinent to the study of prehistoric hunter-gatherers-fishers. It will take place over five days with parallel sessions and two half-day field-trips. As well as providing discussion it is designed to inform the audience of the many new developments in the evidence for the Mesolithic period in Europe.

Oral Presentations will address the following 13 themes: Transitions, Understanding the Social Context, Environmental Studies, Mobility: meaning; expression; recognition, Moving to new Lands, Dwelling and Settlement, Confronting the Individual, Understanding Mesolithic technology, Islands: Life on the Edge?, Flint Alternatives, Ritual in Context, Regional Identities, Current Research

There will also be poster presentations

Several fieldtrips will take place in conjunction with the conference - an optional pre-conference trip to the Irish midlands, 2 half-day trips during and as part of the conference to Strangford Lough, County Down and the East Antrim coast, and an optional post-conference trip to the Bann valley, north Antrim & Derry and County Donegal.

For further details and booking please access the website on: www.ulstermuseum.com/meso2005/

This is an excellent opportunity to join in and discuss the most recent research with those who are actively engaged in the field.

Have a go at Tapestry Weaving

Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is offering the chance to have a go at Tapestry weaving on Saturday 9 April. Lousie Martin, senior weaver at Stirling Castle is leading the workshop, which is inspired by the tapestry exhibition 'A Poem of Nature' by Annelise Kofoed-Hansen showing at the Smith until 10 April.

The workshop costs 13 and runs 10.30am-4.30pm. It is suitable for beginners and more advanced. Participants will be shown a range of techniques using different warp settings and a huge variety of yarns inspired by the exhibition.

Louise Martin is currently working on a 10 year project to produce a contemporary interpretation of the series 'The Hunt of the Unicorn' where visitors to the Castle can gain an insight into the weaving process.

Anyone interested in booking for the Stirling Smith's workshop should contact the Smith on 01786 471917 for a booking form. Some places are still available but are being snapped up quickly.
Maria Devaney
Exhibitions Officer
Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Dumbarton Road
Stirling FK8 2RQ

Tel: 01786 471917
Fax: 01786 449523

www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk

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