01 May 2011

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 2011 Rhind Lecture series will be given by Dr Stuart Needham on ´Material and spiritual engagements; Britain and Ireland in the first age of metal´. Free and open to all, first come first seated. The lectures will be held in the Wolfson Lecture Theatre in the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Description:

Britain and Ireland abound with burials of the early metal age. Many individuals were accorded special treatment on death, interred in finely constructed chambers or deep graves or honoured by cremation and committal to the ground in highly ornamented pottery vessels. Distinctive or exotic grave goods may accompany the burial and the sites themselves came to be memorialised through the construction of impressive mounds and ring works. These conspicuous and pervasive archaeological contexts have come to define a funerary phenomenon and an era. They give the impression of a society totally preoccupied with the dead and their funerary passage and of a comprehensive burial policy. That funerary practices were endemic in most regions is inescapable, but how many people actually received formal burial, who were they and how were they presented in death? In addressing these questions, we will consider the purpose of this phenomenon and interpret anew the meanings of definable burial modes.

FRIDAY 29th April 2011
Lecture 1: Funerary conundrums (6pm)

SATURDAY 30th April 2011,
Lecture 2: Competing ethea of seniority (11am)

Lecture 3: Blunt instruments of power (2pm)

Lecture 4: Enriching the female persona (3:30pm)

SUNDAY 1st May 2011
Lecture 5: The centrality of axe heads (2pm)

Lecture 6: The exemplary dead (3:30pm)

Click here for abstracts of the lectures

01 May 2011

Community Dig at Nybster Broch on

26th April-8th May 2011
1st-13th August 2011

A community dig for all ages. Free and no experience required. Work for as long as you wish. For further information see www.aocarchaeology.com/nybster

For further information or to register contact Derek Edwards, Caithness Archaeological Trust on email@caithnessarchaeology.org.uk or 01593 731269

01 May 2011

AOC's archaeologists will give a guided tour of the Caithness Broch Centre, followed by tours of Nybster, Whitegate, Roadside and Harbour brochs.

Please provide your own transport between the broch centre and the broch sites, and bear in mind that there will be some walking involved. Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.

For further details contact Derek Edwards, Caithness Archaeological Trust  01593 731269 or e-mail@caithnessarchaeology.org.uk

01 May 2011

Guided walk by Highland Council Rangers.

Historic walk of brochs and castles, finishing at Bucholie Castle. Bring waterproofs and lunch. £5 / £3. This walk is their Grade C, requiring some hills-reasonable level of fitness.

As with all walks, dress for the weather and event. It is advisable to contact the Ranger beforehand as the event may change due to adverse weather or other unforseen circumstances. The contact for this event is:

Dieter on 01955 607758.

See also Highland Council Ranger booklet on www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/what-to-see/rangers/countrysiderangerevents.htm