Ryan K. McNutt
Centre for Battlefield Archaeology
Archaeology
School of Humanities / Sgoil nan Daonnachdan
University of Glasgow / Oilthigh Ghlaschu
Telephone +44 (0) 141 330 3925
Email: r.mcnutt.1.@research.gla.ac.uk
Degrees and Qualifications
BS Anthropology, minors in History and Archaeology (magna cum laude), 2006, Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN, USA)
MLitt Battlefield & Conflict Archaeology (distinction), 2010, University of Glasgow
Research Abstract
Finding Forgotten Fields:
Towards a Methodology of Historic Landscape Reconstruction and Predictive Modelling of Battlefield Locations
Using as a dataset the battlefields listed in the draft Scottish Historic Battlefields Inventory, my research will apply a comprehensive, holistic approach to reconstructing historic landscapes for each battlefield. From a theoretical perspective of conflict and battlefield archaeology, I will use historic maps, documentary sources, KOCOA, and digital terrain analysis with ArcGIS, as well as geological and hydrological studies, to work backward from the current terrain to the condition of the landscape at the time of the battle. KOCOA is a principle of military terrain analysis that has invaluable applications in conflict and battlefield archaeology. It provides the means to analyze the tactical importance of different types of ‘key’ terrain—which must be controlled—by whether it provides observation, concealment or cover, if it contains obstacles that hamper, thwart or redirect movement, and avenues of approach or withdrawal. While a modern technique, it uses principles that would have been well known and heeded by historic military commanders, and allows for the use of key terrain as points of reference for comparison.
The use of digital terrain analysis in ArcGIS will allow the reconstruction of what was visible from where on the battlefield, allowing the invaluable aspect of ‘seeing’ the battlefield from the viewpoint of those fighting upon it, while also allowing the recreation of landscape features which may be long vanished. Also taken into account will, of course, be the relevant military tactics and technology used at each battlefield. Furthermore, the advantageous and detrimental terrain types for each tactical approach can be examined through the careful use of military training manuals that were known to have been in use at the time. Once the analysis of the entire dataset is completed, I will conduct a comparison and contrast of several sites from each time period represented in the dataset. By this comparative analysis, I believe that certain patterns of terrain types will began to emerge for each time period as preferred, regularly occurring site types for conflict.
Terrain types can and do dictate where tactics can be successfully deployed and the military commanders of each time period—where competent—should and did comprehend the risks and advantages of terrain, and would have picked areas where they could most effectively deploy whenever possible. While battles undoubtedly occurred at unwanted locations—the debarking of James IV from Flodden Hill, for example —it can be assumed that most commanders would have selected the most favourable terrain possible, given the situation, as the Duke of Cumberland did at Culloden. Consequently, it should be possible to develop from the techniques and analysis discussed above a methodological framework for a comprehensive and fairly complete desk based battlefield landscape construction—which can then be ground truthed—as well as the development of predictive models of battlefield locations by terrain types for the periods represented in the draft Scottish Historic Battlefields Inventory.
Supervisors
Conference Papers
Fleming, Lacey S., Ryan K. McNutt, Lesley Strickland (2004) Archaeological Investigations of the Wayne Furnace Site in Waynesboro, Tennessee. A poster presented at Middle Tennessee State University Scholar’s Day
McNutt, Ryan K (2006) A Dividing Line: Construction and Purpose of Palisades at Mississippian sites in the Middle Tennessee Region. A paper presented at the Middle Tennessee State University Social Science Symposium 2006
McNutt, Ryan K. (2010) Through a Commander’s Eyes: Tactics, Terrain and a Conscious Agency of Choice in the Location of Battlefields. A paper presented at the Scottish Theoretical Archaeology Group (STAG), 23 October 2010, University of Glasgow.
McNutt, Ryan K. (2011) Finding Forgotten Fields: Towards a Methodology of Historic Landscape Reconstruction and Predictive Modelling of Battlefield Locations. A paper presented at "We go to gain a little patch of ground": Postgraduate Research in Conflict Archaeology, University of Glasgow, 7th-9th October 2011
Publications
Bennett, Jamie M, Olivia A. Jones, and Ryan K. McNutt (2007). Pre-burn Survey Report for Franklin, Willow, and Nickell Prescribed Burns. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, United States Forest Service. A report submitted to the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office
Bennett, Jamie M., and Ryan K. McNutt (2007) An Archaeological Survey of the 2007 Crockett Creek Timber Sale in Stewart County, Tennessee. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, United States Forest Service. A report submitted to the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Office.
Bennett, Jamie M. and Ryan K. McNutt. (2007) An Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Sewer Line Upgrade at Fort Donelson National Cemetery in Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, United States Forest Service. A report submitted to the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Office.
McNutt, Ryan K. (2011) Review: Contesting Human Remains: The Crisis of Cultural Authority Written by Tiffany Jenkins, in Bell, S, Gascoigne, E. and M. Knoche (eds) 2011 The Kelvingrove Review, Vol. 8.
GTA Experience
Level I Archaeology of Scotland
Level I Archaeology in the Modern World
Level II Field Archaeology in Theory and Practice
Other Experience
Web Editor, Love Archaeology Magazine.
Chaired Landscape session at the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology’s Postgraduate conference, 7th - 9th October 2011, University of Glasgow.
Chaired session on Landscapes at the Scottish Theoretical Archaeology Group’s conference, 22nd October 2011
Co-organized, Scottish Theoretical Archaeology Group (STAG) Postgraduate Conference 2012