Hidden Voices: Unearthing the impact of women in Scottish archaeology

The “Hidden Voices” project, initiated by current Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, seeks to “unearth” the achievements of female archaeologists whose contributions to Scottish archaeology have historically been overshadowed. Many female scholars have played pivotal roles in advancing the field but their contributions have not always been adequately recognised or celebrated.

This project is committed to raising awareness and exploring the lives of these pioneering women. By combining contemporary digital tools (web-scraping and text analysis) and scholarly research, the group is collecting and promoting knowledge about these individuals.

The core activities of the Hidden Voices group include:

Creating and updating Wikipedia pages dedicated to these women, providing a public and accessible platform to share their stories and achievements.
Producing podcasts that not only delve into their biographies but also discuss the practicalities of reconstructing their lives.
Designing and distributing informative posters and scholarly papers, further disseminating their significant contributions to a wider audience.

These efforts are not just about historical recognition but serve as a crucial step towards redressing the gender disparities in the field of archaeology and ensuring that these impactful women can serve as models for future generations of archaeologists.

Hidden Voices is supported by the Society’s Dig It! project, which is primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland

Logo for the Hidden Voices project of a woman seated at a table with a plateful of archaeology and a trowel and bucket nearby with the Wikipedia logo.

If you would like to suggest someone that should have a new or improved Wikipedia page, or if you would be interested in participating in the project, please drop us a line.