Archaeology Research

At the recent Archaeological Research in Progress Conference, hosted by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, three different contributions were made by members of the University of Glasgow Archaeology.

The Tale of a Tail (or Two): The Late Bronze Age Horsehair Hat from Kirtomy and its Replication

Dr Susanna Harris FSAScot joined Dr Alison Sheridan FSAScot (NMS) and costumier Lilja Husmo in presenting a paper on a Late Bronze Age hat from Kirtomy made from the tail of a horse. Radiocarbon dating points to this object being the earliest evidence for domestic horses in Scotland, middle to late Bronze Age.

Govan Old ‘Dig Where You Stand’

Professor Stephen Driscoll FSAScot introduced the Govan Old team of students who presented on various aspects of the Govan Old project which they have been instrumental in pushing forward.

Alexander McClure discussed the GO Field Manual, which was developed from a desire to have an accessible resource that could be easily consulted on site. Alexander also presented the report produced by the student team after the end of last year’s dig season.

Michael Hogg reflected on the community engagement dimension of Govan Old, taking us through the skills the volunteers gain and highlighting their meaningful contributions to the project.

Rachel McDonald launched the Govan Oral Archive Project last year, and she emphasised the importance of listening to and archiving the stories of those who have personal connections with the site. Rachel has managed to capture the authentic voice of Govan and is creating a valuable resource that will be built on over the coming years.

Luca McCall explored the team’s developing archaeological understanding of the site using evidence from ‘Trench G’ alongside antiquarian sources. He unveiled truths about Govan’s past, reflecting on the discovery of the Govan Shield-bearer Stone in 2023 and a ninth-century metalled road surface.

Rob Ferro reflected on how drone survey has enabled a wider understanding of Govan Old within the greater Glasgow and Clyde landscape. He also explained how drone photography can aid the recording of excavations through the creation of both 3D images and models.

Moira Piazzoli FSAScot explored the novel approach to mental and physical wellbeing the Govan Old team has adopted. She explained the inspiration behind this and emphasised her desire for those involved to take these practices forward in their professional journeys.

The Glencoe Project

Dr Gareth Beale offered an overview of the Glencoe Project to an appreciative audience. He highlighted the use of imaginative and creative approaches in presenting heritage and the human experience of the Glencoe landscape. The archaeology of Glencoe captured by applying audio and visual tools, including camera obscura, to create audio tours and podcasts.

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First published: 8 May 2025