The ten year strategy for archaeology in Scotland was launched earlier this month, setting out the vision for archaeology across Scotland and extending the audience for archaeological activity.
Historic Scotland writes:
A brand new 10 year Archaeology Strategy for Scotland was launched at Europe’s biggest archaeology conference in Glasgow today (2nd September). Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy has been developed by the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee, coordinated by Historic Scotland, with input from over 200 people from across the archaeology sector in Scotland and beyond. It sets out a shared national vision that Scotland’s archaeology should benefit everyone in society.
Hosted by the University of Glasgow, this is the first time that the European Association of Archaeologists conference has been held in Scotland. Over the next three days, 2000 delegates from 80 different countries will travel to the city to hear about the latest developments in European archaeology, from the ways science has helped to uncover the life stories of Scotland’s past inhabitants, to collaborative working between professional archaeologists and volunteers at the Black Loch of Myrton encouraging a radical re-think of Iron Age life in Scotland.
The EAA conference will also be marked with the launch of The Cradle of Scotland, a major exhibition revealing new discoveries in Scottish archaeology at the Hunterian Museum, as well as the Our Place in Time Arts Festival – an open access art festival showcasing creative responses to archaeology including photography, film and even cake.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Conference, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, welcomed the launch of the Strategy as an important step towards realising the full potential of Scotland’s outstanding archaeology. She said: ‘Archaeology is a vital part of our heritage. We want archaeology to be for everyone, with the study of the past offering opportunities for all to discover, to care for, to promote and to enjoy our rich and diverse heritage. If we can get this right, archaeology will contribute to physical and mental well-being as well as to the growth of knowledge and the economy, and help us to tell Scotland’s stories in their global context. The recent events in Syria have of course placed archaeology and heritage into the headlines for the wrong reasons and the world has been rightly shocked and appalled by images of the loss of heritage sites, with the systematic looting and demolition of sites including the ancient city of Palmyra.’
‘As many of the world’s archaeologists gather in Glasgow for this week’s conference, world heritage is again at the forefront of our minds and will be explored at sessions and events throughout the week including an exhibition on how the trafficking of cultural objects is damaging and destroying archaeological sites worldwide.’
