Digital Dwelling at Skara BraeA collaborative project in archaeological visualisation

Alice Watterson | Kieran Baxter | Aaron Watson

The Research Problem

At present the application of visualisation in archaeology often falls far short of its potential .

Regardless of the medium used visualisation is still practised along the traditional “artists’ impression” methodology.

There are no defined archaeological methodologies which encourage and embrace the creative process.

There has been a rapid uptake of new technologies for visualisation in recent years with little consideration of the impact on the interpretive process and

engagement with the archaeological record.

Neolithic Orkney

Skara Brae

The Focus Group

“How do you use visualisation in your own work?”

“What interpretations of the site would you like to see developed through our project?”

After turning the corner and passing the entrance to Hut 6 (which is a later addition), the passageway suddenly expands and becomes highly decorated. Where Hut 2 leads into this area of Passage A, two features serve to separate it

from this apparently important area. First, an elaborate porch-like addition to the entrance separates the house

doorway from the main passage. Second, both sides of the porch area are decorated. It is clear that this portion of passage A constitutes a space of special concern, or

even risk. Interestingly it also marks the beginning of Passage B and the journey to Hut 7…

...It is exactly at this point that further incised decoration is seen on the wall. Continuing along the passage a second

upright sill slab marks another step down which coincides with more elaborate decoration on the right-hand wall face. The final step down places the subject in a substantially broader and higher area known as

Passage C. Directly ahead is the entrance to a small cell within which the door bar of Hut 7 can be controlled.

On entering Passage C a further upright sill slab can is stepped over, and to the left the entrance to Hut 7 becomes visible. A flagstone path now leads directly along the passage and into the entrance passage of Hut7. Proceeding along

this pathway involved a gradual decent and the crossing of another upright sill slab, before reaching the doorway of Hut 7. This area was also decorated by a carved stone set high up in the passage wall (Childe and Paterson 1929, 247).

In reaching this point from Passage A, a descent of almost one and a half metres has been undertaken, and no less than five sill slabs and four areas of

decoration have been negotiated.

(Richards 1991, 31)

What did we learn?

Thank you!

Follow the project at www.digitaldirtvirtualpasts.wordpress.com

Questionnaires available – please give your feedback!

Acknowledgements

Ann Marwick, Mary Dunnett and the staff at Skara BraeAlan Jones and the team at Maeshowe

Alice LyallStephen Watt

Kit ReidRichard Strachan

Nick CardCaroline Wickham-Jones

Antonia ThomasPeter Needham

Neil FirthAlastair RawlinsonLorraine McEwanRebecca YoungerJeremy HuggettPaul Chapman