Archaeology in action

The Abertay Historical Society’s next event on March 11 focuses on some of the practical applications of archaeology. Our two speakers are both professional archaeologists working at the University of Dundee in very different roles – one in Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and one in the Centre for Anatomy & Human Identification.

Dr Alice Watterson is an archaeologist and digital artist based at the University of Dundee, Scotland where she currently works as a lecturer and postdoctoral research assistant with the 3Dvislab. Her research explores the use of archaeological reconstruction and mixed media as an interpretive tool for engaging public outreach. Her talk will focus on archaeological visualisation, or the task of picturing the past in the present, is a complex area of research which exists at the intersections of evidence, interpretation, scientific data collection, local perspectives and artfully crafted storytelling. In her lecture she will reflect on the processes behind the production of archaeological reconstruction imagery for public outreach and engagement. Drawing upon a case study from an ongoing project with an indigenous Yup’ik community in southwest Alaska the talk will explore community co-design as a means of curating the story of an archaeological excavation from a range of perspectives.

Dr Diana Swales will speak on Forensic Archaeology: Approaches for Investigating the Past Applied to Challenges of Today. She says: “Forensic archaeology is the application of traditional archaeological approaches and techniques for the location and recovery of buried evidence in criminal and humanitarian investigations.” Her talk will introduce the background to the emergence of forensic archaeology as a discipline and discuss the role of the forensic archaeologist, including the search for missing persons and the search, recording and excavation of clandestine burials and mass graves. Dr Swales is an osteoarchaeologist and forensic archaeologist. She is currently employed in the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID) at the University of Dundee as a lecturer in Forensic Archaeology and Programme Lead for the MSC Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology.

This is a free event, but non-members are asked to consider making a small donation to the Abertay Historical Society. The event will take place on Wednesday March 11 in Lecture Theatre 2 of the Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee. The talks start at 6.30pm, with doors open from 6pm. Further information may be obtained from Matthew Jarron, general secretary of the cociety, via telephone (01382 384310) or by emailing museum@ dundee.ac.uk

Eric Niven says: “It’s been wind and rain and sleet lately but signs of spring are around! This lovely show of crocuses was in Meikleour.”