History at the touch of a button
Hillforts dating back 2000 years, a Pictish ‘power centre’ and an early medieval ‘royal palace’ are all explored in a new online resource focusing on Perth and Kinross.
Over 12,000 years of history in the region has been brought together for the public to explore through a free website.
Launched last week, the Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework (PKARF) has taken over three years to build with more than100 experts and local community members taking part in its creation.
With sections covering every time period from the Mesolithic - which began 12,800 years ago - to the 20th century, the website contains reliable and up-to-date information.
Each era is split into sections, such as ‘religion and ritual’ and ‘daily life’, which shine a light on the lives of people who lived in Perth and Kinross over thousands of years.
Every section is written by experts bringing together the latest research and fieldwork findings, such as the recent work at King’s Seat, Dunkeld, which is believed to have been a Pictish power centre over 1100 years ago.
Special case study pages also dig deeper into the most important sites and objects discovered in the region, including a 1500-year-old skeleton discovered at Bridge of Tilt in 1985, and an early medieval ‘palace’ said to be where the first king of Scotland, Kenneth MacAlpin, died in AD 858.
The project was co-ordinated by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) and Scotland’s Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) as part of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.
David Strachan, director of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, said: “Perth and
Kinross has an extremely rich and varied archaeology, surviving both in the field and in museum collections.
“It has also seen several outstanding programmes of archaeological research over the last 100 years.
“The overarching aim of the new research framework has been to assess current knowledge of human activity through the archaeological record, and from this benchmark, identify knowledge gaps and establish research priorities and questions.
“Its intended use is to inform
effective future management of the archaeological resource, and guide ongoing and future research, whether developer, academic or communityled.
“The framework also aspires to help to make the historic environment an educational tool and an asset that enriches people’s lives and strengthens community through a sense of place and identity.”
In addition to being a “valuable resource” for the public, the website is an important tool in the management of the archaeology of Perth and Kinross and lists key questions for archaeologists and researchers to try to answer in the future.
Helen Spencer, project manager of the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: “The Society is delighted to launch its third regional
framework, with previous projects focusing on the Highlands and Argyll.
“As well as being an important new tool for professional archaeologists, we are hoping it will encourage people, both locals and visitors, to find out more about the rich heritage of Perth and Kinross and inspire them to visit sites and museums.”
Kirsty Owen, deputy head of archaeology, Historic Environment Scotland, added: “This project has brought together the knowledge and expertise of individuals and communities to create a resource which will support good decision-making in the management of the archaeological heritage of Perth and Kinross.
“We expect this to inspire new projects and encourage more people to get involved in archaeology.”
For more information, visit www. scarf.scot