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Want access to cutting-edge Scottish archaeological research?
Hear the latest on the Ness of Brodgar, a Bronze Age hoard, Perth’s lost priory and more at Archaeological Research in Progress online and in Edinburgh on 3 May.
Tickets now on sale: bit.ly/ARPConference2025#ARP2025
ALT Aerial photo of the excavation of a prehistoric stone building with low walls and hearths visible
It’s believed that the earliest evidence of European triangular framed harps is found on the 1,200-year-old Nigg Stone in the Highlands 🎶
Known to have stood in the kirkyard until 1727, the intricately carved cross-slab is now housed in Nigg Old Church: digitscotland.com/unearthing…
ALT Sketch of the cross slab with two Pictish symbols: an eagle above a Pictish Beast, a sheep, the triangular harp, and hunting scenes. Scholars interpret the scene as representing a story of the biblical King David.
In 2020, volunteers uncovered an early medieval cross slab near Stirling which turned out to be Pictish with an ancient ogham inscription 😍
Dig into this internationally significant discovery with @murrayJamescoo1 at this @smithmuseum event on 26 March: digitscotland.com/events/ill…
Archaeological textiles are rare finds in Scotland, but the fabric on this bead from the Galloway Hoard survived for over 1,100 years underground 🤯
Why? It was buried with metal which helped create an inhospitable environment for fibre-eating microbes: digitscotland.com/poisonous-…
ALT Photo of a small bead with a hook on top with textile wrapped around it
"Anyone can make these discoveries with a keen eye and curiosity" 👀
Want to uncover the hidden history of your local coastline? Volunteers are needed to help record archaeology along the coast of the Dornoch Firth in the Highlands—no experience required: digitscotland.com/events/coa…
ALT Photo of a beach with yellow sand, blue skies and some woodland on the left
Built over 2,100 years ago, this Bronze Age ring-cairn (enclosure) was excavated within the footprint of a new industrial estate in Aberdeenshire in 1994 🏭
The site couldn’t be saved where it was found, so it was moved 175m and accurately reconstructed: digitscotland.com/what-happe…
ALT Photo of a bronze age ring cairn on a modern housing estate with an interpretation board nearby
Would you like a free introduction to archaeological landscape interpretation, measured survey and photography? 📸
Join the Uncovering the Tweed team for a day of survey on 21 March at Upsettlington, a deserted medieval village in the Scottish Borders: digitscotland.com/events/des…
"Crannogs contain some of the best-preserved evidence for life in the past in Scotland."
Today the Society announced funding for an underwater excavation of a medieval Highland crannog by @NosasBlog and @NautArchSoc, along with 11 other new projects: bit.ly/SocietyGrantsSpring20…
ALT Aerial photo of an artificial island made of stone in a loch with a tree growing on top
Found on early medieval monuments across Scotland, ogham is an ancient script using straight lines which we've yet to fully understand - but experts are investigating ✍️
On 19 March, learn how digital technologies are transforming our knowledge of ogham: digitscotland.com/events/ogh…
ALT Photo of a large carved stone slab; decorated with a snake and other symbols, and notched lines along the edge
In Aberdeenshire, over 800 house platforms have been identified at the complex hillfort of Tap o’ Noth by @UoA_Archaeology 🏘️
This makes Tap o' Noth the hillfort with the densest concentrations of first millennium AD (AD 1 to AD 1000) settlement remains known in all of Scotland.
ALT Reconstructed digital image of a large hillfort with hundreds of structures surrounded by a wall
The site is part of "quite fascinating and growing evidence for major hilltop settlements" which could reveal more about the impact of the Roman army and the origins of the Picts 😮
Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot explains ⬇️ digitscotland.com/what-do-hi…
"Ach tha sinn air tòrr a bharrachd ionnsachadh mu ar cuid eachdraidh, cultair agus dualchais ionadail tron cho-dhùnadh againn a bhith a’ cladhach làrach fuadachaidh" ⛏️
Delve into the Lost Inverlael project in Gaelic or English: digitscotland.com/ag-lorg-co…#SeachdainNaGàidhlig2025
ALT Hand holding a small yellow chipped piece of flint
We support research and innovation into Scotland’s past, act as an independent voice for heritage and share knowledge with everyone.
Fellowship subscriptions directly help the Society achieve its aims; apply by 28 February to support our work: socantscot.org/what-we-do/
ALT Photo of a person wearing purple plastic medical gloves holding a bone up to their eye and looking through a magnifying glass
“It is evident from the nature of the two groups of objects thus associated with the two skeletons, that No. I. was the grave of a man, and No. II. that of a woman” 💀
Is it? @sacha_coward explains how queer theory challenges assumptions: digitscotland.com/queering-a…#LGBTplusHM25
ALT Sketch of an elaborate oval bowl-shaped brooch