Lecture by Dr Amy Blakeway, University of Kent Between 1543 and 1550 England and Scotland were at war. Both sides, however, used the pen as well as the sword, and the war of words which ensued was given a particularly fierce edge as whilst Scotland remained Catholic England had embraced Protestantism. This lecture will explore propaganda produced by both sides, ranging from poems to proclamations, to shed new light on this important moment in Anglo-Scottish relations. Please scroll down to…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Amy Blakeway, University of Kent Between 1543 and 1550 England and Scotland were at war. Both sides, however, used the pen as well as the sword, and the war of words which ensued was given a particularly fierce edge as whilst Scotland remained Catholic England had embraced Protestantism. This lecture will explore propaganda produced by both sides, ranging from poems to proclamations, to shed new light on this important moment in Anglo-Scottish relations.
Find out more »Join curator Olive Geddes, for a guided tour of the National Library’s summer exhibition Lifting the Lid: 400 years of food and drink in Scotland. Learn more about Scotland’s changing relationship with food and drink over the centuries which is explored using the Library’s rich collections of manuscript and printed recipe books. Among the fascinating items on display are historic recipe books, some dating as far as the 17th century, household accounts and tradesmen’s bills, and amateur and government films about…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Miles Oglethorpe, Historic Environment Scotland On Sunday 5th July 2015, The Forth Bridge was inscribed onto the World Heritage list by UNESCO at the 39th Session of the World Heritage Committee. This lecture describes how the Bridge came to be Scotland’s 6th World Heritage Site, and how it was the first successful UK nomination since 2009. Please scroll down to book!
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Miles Oglethorpe, Historic Environment Scotland On Sunday 5th July 2015, The Forth Bridge was inscribed onto the World Heritage list by UNESCO at the 39th Session of the World Heritage Committee. This lecture describes how the Bridge came to be Scotland’s 6th World Heritage Site, and how it was the first successful UK nomination since 2009.
Find out more »The Aberdeen and North East Section of the Society invite you to a tour of the historic Mither Kirk of Aberdeen. Led by various experts, attendees will discover the history of the building and learn about the lives of medieval Aberdonians from the scientific analysis of over 1,000 skeletons excavated from the East Church. This event is joint with with the University of Aberdeen and student volunteers from Robert Gordon University. Book online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tour-of-st-nicholas-church-tickets-18736178414
Find out more »Followed by a short address by Jane Ryder OBE FSA Scot, Chair, Historic Environment Scotland: 'Protecting the past, shaping the future'. Drinks reception
Find out more »Speaker - Michael Stratigos, University of Aberdeen In conjunction with the Society of Antiquaries Aberdeen & North East Section, Michael Stratigos discusses the presence of Crannogs in the North East as part of the evening lecture series. Crannogs are often considered a western or Atlantic phenomenon in Scotland, despite the presence of a handful of crannogs in north-east Scotland. This region has been consistently over-looked, but new work has shown that there were probably many more crannogs in this region…
Find out more »Lecture by Neil Baxter, Hon FRIAS, The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Founded in 1916 at a dinner honouring Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) was, with Holyrood Palace, a main beneficiary of Anderson’s Will, five years later. For its centenary, the Incorporation is preparing the largest celebration of the ‘mother of the arts’ ever seen – with public events the length and breadth of Scotland, highlighting the crucial importance of a quality…
Find out more »Lecture by Neil Baxter, Hon FRIAS, The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Founded in 1916 at a dinner honouring Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) was, with Holyrood Palace, a main beneficiary of Anderson’s Will, five years later. For its centenary, the Incorporation is preparing the largest celebration of the ‘mother of the arts’ ever seen – with public events the length and breadth of Scotland, highlighting the crucial importance of a quality…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Alex Gibson, Reader in Prehistory, University of Bradford In association with The Prehistoric Society For some time it has been commonly acknowledged that Bronze Age ceramics developed from Neolithic forms. Radiocarbon chronology, however, has shown that there was almost a millennium between the demise of Impressed Wares and the advent of Food Vessels and Urns. Given this chronological gap, how do we explain the undeniable similarities? A closer inspection of Bronze Age culture and customs suggests…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Alex Gibson, Reader in Prehistory, University of Bradford In association with The Prehistoric Society For some time it has been commonly acknowledged that Bronze Age ceramics developed from Neolithic forms. Radiocarbon chronology, however, has shown that there was almost a millennium between the demise of Impressed Wares and the advent of Food Vessels and Urns. Given this chronological gap, how do we explain the undeniable similarities? A closer inspection of Bronze Age culture and customs suggests…
Find out more »Join Dr Anette Hagan on a curator led tour of “Plague!” The new exhibition at the National Library of Scotland showcases eight contagious diseases that have ravaged Scotland over the last 700 years, and relates the cultural and social history of responses to such epidemics. It highlights government and public health measures, personal accounts in diaries and letters, moral and practical reactions by church people, responses in folk medicine and literature, and through medical investigation. For Fellows only. Free but…
Find out more »A journey through Scottish architecture from the earliest buildings to today's tower blocks. Our three speakers have each been given a period of Scotland’s past and presented the challenge to choose their three examples of architectural innovation and design that changed the face of Scotland. Come and hear their choices and contribute your own! Chair: Prof. Karen Forbes (Edinburgh University) Prehistory (earliest people to 600 AD): Dr Tanja Romankiewicz (Edinburgh University) Medieval (600 AD to Union of the Crowns): Prof. Richard Oram (Stirling University) Modern…
Find out more »Dr Gordon Noble, University of Aberdeen, will present this lecture at the Regent Building Lecture Theatre, University of Aberdeen, hosted by the Aberdeen and North East Section of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. This talk will outline recent results of the University of Aberdeen’s Northern Picts project which involves undertaking surveys and excavations on Pictish sites from Aberdeenshire to Easter Ross. In this presentation Dr Noble will focus on the work at three fortified sites: Dunnicaer and Rhynie, both Aberdeenshire and Burghead,…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Ralph McLean, National Library of Scotland This talk examines the career of Alexander Howland Smith ‘Antique Smith’ who rose to notoriety in the 1890s through his forgeries of famous Scots such as Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott. By looking at the Society of Antiquaries extensive Smith collection this talk will investigate Smith’s techniques, provide examples of his forgeries, and relate his eventual discovery and downfall. This event is now fully booked!
Find out more »Lecture by Mr Tom Rees, Consultant Archaeologist, Rathmell Archaeology Limited Investigations during construction of the Western Link Convertor Station at Hunterston in Ayrshire (http://www.westernhvdclink.co.uk/) revealed a small area of intense prehistoric activity. Excavation revealed a sequence of enclosures bounding a hollow within which were dense pit clusters, working surfaces and post-holes. Field evidence for bronze and iron smelting, founding and smithing (respectively) combined with late Bronze Age pottery suggests a remarkable discovery – an open air workshop from the Bronze…
Find out more »Lecture by Mr Tom Rees, Consultant Archaeologist, Rathmell Archaeology Limited Investigations during construction of the Western Link Convertor Station at Hunterston in Ayrshire (http://www.westernhvdclink.co.uk/) revealed a small area of intense prehistoric activity. Excavation revealed a sequence of enclosures bounding a hollow within which were dense pit clusters, working surfaces and post-holes. Field evidence for bronze and iron smelting, founding and smithing (respectively) combined with late Bronze Age pottery suggests a remarkable discovery – an open air workshop from the Bronze…
Find out more »Alison Cameron of Cameron Archaeology will present this lecture at the Regent Building Lecture Theatre hosted by the Aberdeen and North East Section of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Three of the four Aberdeen medieval friaries have now been subjected to archaeological excavation, the Carmelite, Franciscan and Domincan. This talk will pull together what we now know about these important religious institutions. There are human remains from all sites and this includes the recent 25 individuals excavated at Robert Gordon's on…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Anne Crone, Project Manager, AOC Archaeology Excavations on the headland at Auldhame have uncovered a millennium of burial activity, from the 7th century to the 17th century AD. The earliest phase saw the establishment of a monastic settlement probably associated with the Anglian saint, Balthere. A grave with Hiberno-Norse connections signaled the end of this settlement, possibly violently, and the site subsequently became a parish church and graveyard, finally ending up as a family burial aisle or…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Anne Crone, Project Manager, AOC Archaeology Excavations on the headland at Auldhame have uncovered a millennium of burial activity, from the 7th century to the 17th century AD. The earliest phase saw the establishment of a monastic settlement probably associated with the Anglian saint, Balthere. A grave with Hiberno-Norse connections signaled the end of this settlement, possibly violently, and the site subsequently became a parish church and graveyard, finally ending up as a family burial aisle or…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Fraser Hunter, National Museums Scotland The idea of Celts is a potent, popular and enormously varied one, applied to many different types of evidence in different contexts. Coinciding with a major exhibition on Celts at the National Museum of Scotland, this talk will consider the many different things which get called Celtic art. It will consider what these different “Celtic arts” say about connections and differences across Europe, and consider the role of decoration in making powerful…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Fraser Hunter, National Museums Scotland The idea of Celts is a potent, popular and enormously varied one, applied to many different types of evidence in different contexts. Coinciding with a major exhibition on Celts at the National Museum of Scotland, this talk will consider the many different things which get called Celtic art. It will consider what these different “Celtic arts” say about connections and differences across Europe, and consider the role of decoration in making powerful…
Find out more »Friday 6th May, 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm, Saturday 7th May, 11. am - 5.00 pm, Sunday 8th May, 2. 00 pm - 5.00 pm Professor Roey Sweet, Professor of Urban History, University of Leicester The historic town today is a clichéd mainstay of tourism and place-branding; its credentials go back to the eighteenth century when antiquaries first began seriously to study the physical remains of the past and to single out towns as of particular historical interest. These…
Find out more »This year's event is being organised by Archaeology Scotland at the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels This joint Archaeology Scotland and Society of Antiquaries of Scotland day conference provides an annual opportunity to hear up-to-date accounts of Archaeological Research in Progress in Scotland. Registration for the event will be from 9.15 am on Saturday 28th May at The Volunteer Hall, St John Street, Galashiels, Borders, TD1 3JK. A buffet lunch is included and there will be an opportunity to pick up your…
Find out more »This major NMS exhibition, organised in partnership with the British Museum, unravels the complex story of the different groups who have used or been given the name "Celts" through the extraordinary art objects they made and used. Join Dr Fraser Hunter, NMS principal curator of Iron Age and Roman collections in the NMS Auditorium for an introductory talk about the artefacts before touring the exhibition yourself. Open to Fellows and non-Fellows - everyone is welcome to attend and learn about this…
Find out more »More than 1,000 years ago the sleepy Angus village of St Vigeans was the centre of a royal estate and of huge religious importance. The most important indications of the village’s powerful past can be found in two adjoining sandstone cottages. Within their walls in Historic Scotland’s newly refurbished museum are housed 38 carved stones which are among the last and very finest expressions of Pictish art, making them tremendously important – part of our national collection of the earliest…
Find out more »We are delighted to collaborate with our friends in Lyon & Turnbull to offer Fellows the opportunity to attend an evening lecture event. Hear three experts discuss their areas of interest (weapons, glass and silver) with a focus on Scottish design and material culture. Relax with a drink and socialise while previewing the upcoming Scottish Silver & Applied Arts auction items. Booking is essential, scroll down to book your ticket now. In association with Lyon & Turnbull
Find out more »Venue: Friday 7th October, Auditorium, NMS, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Venue: Saturday 8th October, Abbotsford House, Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9BQ Join us in this unique event to uncover a different side to Sir Walter Scott, the antiquary and collector and the physical culture surrounding and inspiring him, to be held in collaboration with Abbotsford House. Expert talks and discussion will explore and assess Scott’s interests in Scotland’s past and will celebrate 200 years of The Antiquary. Published in…
Find out more »This lecture explores how Daniel Wilson’s ideas to recognise the practice of archaeology as a science were taken forward through the investigations of stone circles in north eastern Scotland.
Find out more »This lecture explores how Daniel Wilson’s ideas to recognise the practice of archaeology as a science were taken forward through the investigations of stone circles in north eastern Scotland.
Find out more »Lecture outlining the great deal of research over the last 25 years, especially since 2000. For no other prehistoric human has there been such a very detailed scientific reconstruction of the last few days of life.
Find out more »Lecture outlining the great deal of research over the last 25 years, especially since 2000. For no other prehistoric human has there been such a very detailed scientific reconstruction of the last few days of life.
Find out more »A consideration of how the density or absence of something often defines the character of an area or neighbourhood and how new ways of mapping urban characteristics can reveal so much more about a place.
Find out more »A consideration of how the density or absence of something often defines the character of an area or neighbourhood and how new ways of mapping urban characteristics can reveal so much more about a place.
Find out more »Lecture exploring the iconic Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building and its restoration.
Find out more »This lecture will explore the use of geological techniques to identify pigments used in decorating Roman buildings and objects.
Find out more »This lecture will explore the use of geological techniques to identify pigments used in decorating Roman buildings and objects.
Find out more »Lecture exploring the excavated evidence for medieval friaries in Aberdeen.
Find out more »Lecture exploring the iconic Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building and its restoration.
Find out more »The excavations at Portmahomack revealed activity on the site from the 6th century AD to the 15th century.
Find out more »The excavations at Portmahomack revealed activity on the site from the 6th century AD to the 15th century.
Find out more »What were lives like in ancient Egypt? Examining two tombs excavated by Alexander Henry Rhind we explore this fascinating culture.
Find out more »Professor Roberta Gilchrist, University of Reading, will present the series of six Rhind Lectures in 2017.
Find out more »The annual national day conference updating you on recent research in Scotland.
Find out more »The Lindsay Fischer Lecture will be presented by Professor Margrethe Stang, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Find out more »The Lindsay Fischer Lecture will be presented by Professor Margrethe Stang, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Find out more »The Lindsay Fischer Lecture will be presented by Professor Margrethe Stang, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Find out more »Mesolithic Scotland and its Neighbours, published in 2004 THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL A day conference in honour of Alan Saville, past Society of Antiquaries of Scotland President. The day will comprise of a set of brief talks but, more importantly, lots of discussion related to the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic occupation of Scotland, focused on the possible dwellings and ‘houses’ that have been excavated over the past few years. Since the 1999 conference and 2004 publication of…
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