On Saturday22nd March 2014, the SCAPE Trust is hosting an Archaeology Fact Finding Event in Glasgow. Designed for all those who have an interest in and take part in archaeology and heritage in a non-professional capacity, this one-off event will give you the opportunity to get up to speed with the incredible range of techniques, specialisms and services across the sector and meet the experts and practitioners face to face.

The day will be structured into 2 parts: short presentations throughout the morning and timed surgeries in the afternoon where you will be able to find out more about specific techniques and services, discuss project ideas and meet specialists and contractors.

The event will be held at the Western General Lecture Theatre and more information can be found at SCHARP’s website.

A group of ACFA members attended this interesting day which began with a classroom introduction to the website.  An interactive map gives access to the data from various coastal assessments with links to site records and the ability to view in satellite mode which gives a good view of your chosen site.  We were shown how to record changes to an existing record or report new sites.  The afternoon was spent on the southern shore of the Clyde under the Erskine Bridge learning how to use the smart phone app in the field.

The 26th Annual General Meeting of ACFA was held on Saturday Ocober 26.  There was a good turn out by members who enjoyed the opportunity to socialise once the business of the evening was finished.  They were delighted to welcome seven new associate members to their ranks.  Members also welcomed the news that the Certificate in Field Archaeology (Glasgow University Centre for Open Studies) is due to recommence in 2014.  A full report of the evening will appear in the next issue of the Newsletter.

Next Social event Saturday February 22 2014

The winners of the 2013 ACFA Photography Competition announced at the AGM on Saturday October 26 were:

Archaeology in the UK: The Stones of Stenness by Janie Munro

Archaeology Abroad: The Lion in Winter (Nemrut Dag) by Jean Hirst

Humour: "Has anyone seen my parrot?" by Fred Hay

…and the winner of the ACFA Memorial Quaich was The Stones of Stenness by Janie Munro

The Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA) was formed in 1987. Its membership comprises holders of the University of Glasgow Certificate in Field Archaeology, awarded by the Department of Adult & Continuing Education, now the Centre for Open Studies. The intention of the course was to teach adult students the basic principles of archaeological field survey and the importance of recording our cultural heritage of all periods.

The present Certificate in Field Archaeology is a two year modular course which aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of archaeological field survey and British, especially Scottish archaeology. Applications for membership of ACFA would be considered from holders of an equivalent qualification in Field Archaeology from other Universities.  Applications for associate membership would be considered from those who have demonstrated a level of experience and commitment to the practice of Field Archaeology.

 

What we do…

ACFA seeks to continue this work by undertaking field surveys in Scotland. The Association is willing to undertake non-commercial surveys at the request of private individuals, local community groups, Heritage and Local History societies etc. Members who participate in surveys do so in a voluntary capacity and ACFA does not charge for its services, but seeks grants and is willing to accept donations to offset costs. All surveys undertaken are recorded and the results published in our ACFA Occasional Paper Series, which is allocated an ISBN number and lodged with the Royal Commission for Ancient & Historical Monuments in Scotland and other public bodies. To date, ACFA has carried out over 100 surveys in Scotland in areas as widespread geographically as Sandwood in Sutherland, North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and Coalburn in South Lanarkshire.

In conjunction with the Centre for Open Studies (Glasgow University), as a precursor to the 2-year Certificate in Field Archaeology, ACFA ran a 2-day training course in Pollok Park on 25/26May 2013.

The optimum number of students for our resources was estimated at 15 divided into teams of three with a tutor for each team. Saturday began with a crash course in field survey with a useful ‘Idiot’s guide’ hand-out and a demonstration of tape offset in the lecture room. After a picnic lunch the group was led on a tour of the archaeological features of the park.

On Sunday, the groups of three were allocated a tutor and set to drawing one of the features.  At the end of the day the students returned to the lecture room for a winding up session. Responses were uniformly enthusiastic; students had learned that archaeology was not just about digging and they had begun to understand how to read landscape.

 

 

Local/ National Sites & Monuments Records:

 

West of Scotland Archaeology Service

 

The Highland Historic Environment Record

 

Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

 

 

 

Scottish Archaeological Jobs/ Resources:

 

British Archaeological Jobs Resource

 

UK Archaeology Opportunities (Voluntary Digs & Work Experience)

 

 

Societies:

 

Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society

 

Glasgow Archaeological Society

 

Lanark and District Archaeology Society

 

North of Scotland Archaeological Society

 

Renfrewshire Local History Forum

 

Scottish Place-Name Society

 

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

 

Stewartry Archaeological Trust

 

 

Scottish Links:

 

Archaeology Scotland 

 

Edinburgh University Archaeology  Department

 

Glasgow University Archaeology Department

 

Hunterian Museum, Glasgow

 

Historic Scotland

 

Kilmartin House

 

National Library of Scotland Maps

 

National Trust for Scotland

 

Scotland’s People 

 

Scotland’s Places

 

Scottish Crannog Centre

 

SCRAN

 

 

 

Other Links:

DigIt! 2015

 

Archaeology Resource Guide for Europe

 

Council for Independent Archaeology

 

Council for British Archaeology

 

Current Archaeology Magazine

 

Glasgow University Centre for Open Studies

 

Institute of Field Archaeologists

 

Love Archaeology Magazine

 

RESCUE – The British Archaeological Trust

 

Scotland’s Coastal Heritage at Risk Project

 

Scottish Archaeological Research Framework 

 

West of Scotland Archaeology Services

 

Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot

 

 

The winners of the 2012 Photographic Competition were:

Archaeology UK  “Standing Tall”, Callanais, Isle of Lewis, Pat Wilson

Archaeology Abroad The Forum Baths, Ostia Antica, John MacDonald

Humour Bill and Ben doing the rest of the survey (Rona), Fred Hay

The ACFA Memorial Quaich Bill and Ben doing the rest of the survey (Rona), Fred Hay

Due to increasing commitments elsewhere, committee member Alan Thompson tendered his resignation from the committee following the November meeting.  Chairperson, Carol Primrose, thanked Alan for all he had done as a  committee member and commented that the committee had benefitted greatly from his calm and  reasoned contributions.

ACFA held its 25th AGM on 27th November 2012. There was a good turn-out from members old & new at this special silver anniversary AGM and dinner. Members approved amendments to the constitution with some items being referred to the February Social. Libby King and Stuart Mackey joined the committee. The 5th photographic competition results were announced. After dinner Lionel Masters was presented with gifts to mark his retirement after which he gave a presentation celebrating his work with the Certificate in Field Archaeology.

Next Social Meeting – 16th February 2013.