30 September 2020, Starts: 19:30

Double Bill:

1) Fairburn Tower – recent analysis and investigation
Talk by Tom Addyman (Addyman Archaeology)

Ongoing work by Addyman Archaeology for the Landmark Trust has resulted in a detailed understanding of the evolution of the exceptionally fine ruined 16^th century Mackenzie tower at Fairburn near Muir of Ord, its associated structures and immediate site. Excavation has revealed extensive surviving remains of a cobbled forecourt and surrounding buildings.

Tom Addyman is principal of Addyman Archaeology and Partner at Simpson and Brown Architects, Edinburgh. He specialises in the assessment, recording and analysis of historic buildings, and consultancy on conservation-related matters, working throughout Scotland, the UK and on projects overseas. Addyman Archaeology’s specialism in buildings archaeology extends to a range of survey methodologies, from detailed hand recording through to a number of advanced digital techniques.

2) LiDAR survey in the Highlands: future prospects for 3D mapping and landscape archaeology
Talk by Graeme Cavers (AOC)

The Scottish Government’s recent release of the Phase III LiDAR dataset under an Open Government License has ushered in the first stage in a much-anticipated revolution in landscape archaeology: for much of Southern Scotland, an aerial laser scanning (ALS) dataset exists that is of sufficient quality and resolution to be extremely valuable in archaeological survey and mapping. The availability of this new tool prompts a change in approach for all aspects of archaeological fieldwork, from prospective survey, through evaluative excavation to resource management and beyond. There are implications for the practical aspects of survey methodology but also more profound changes to the way we approach mapping and the analysis of site distributions. This discussion will consider these implications in light of current research directions in the Highlands.

Dr Graeme Cavers is Head of Survey and Geomatics at AOC. He has focussed on the development of archaeological survey techniques and 3D technologies while pursuing research interests in the later prehistoric period in northern Britain. He has a strong interest in community participation in heritage research, involved in Highland projects at Clachtoll Broch and Caithness.

Part of Highland Archaeology Festival of Talks. Book via EventBrite website. Further details on Highland Archaeology Festival website.