Experts shape future direction of our past
Review at archaeology conference
Academics and heritage professionals came to Perth on Friday to a regional archaeology conference in the Station Hotel, where they discussed future directions for research into Perth and Kinross’s rich and varied past.
Over 90 people, including heritage professionals, academic researchers and members of the Perth and Kinross community, gathered to help shape the regional archaeological research framework which is currently under development by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust.
The Priorities in Progress conference provided the platform for ideas and suggestions to be presented to the wider community, discussed in workshop sessions and future research questions developed in collaboration.
The conference took place at the beginning of the second year in a threeyear project.
The gathering marked the start of a year of review, where contributions and opinions will be sought from across both professional and local communities to help shape the Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework (PKARF).
PKHT research and engagement officer Gavin Lindsay explained: “Thanks to all the research that’s taken place in Perth and Kinross since the late 1920s, we know a great deal about the region’s past population through their legacy of artefacts, sites and monuments.
“There is, however, still a great deal that remains unknown and this exciting project is all about reviewing what we know, working out what we still need to find out, and deciding how we should go about answers these burning questions.”
When asked about the importance of having a regional research framework for Perth and Kinross, PKHT director David Strachan explained: “Perth and Kinross has a rich and diverse historic environment with nearly 4000 sites of national significance and over the last decade the area has been the subject of several large academic, and community-focused archaeology project, as well as archaeological work carried out in advance of development.
“The research framework will help us manage the historical environment more effectively and guide ongoing research and future research to better address gaps in our knowledge, and improve our understanding of under investigated periods, themes and geographical areas.”