Alison Keir (Orkney College) Coastal Archaeology, Heritage, and Education for Sustainability

Orkney Gateway to the Atlantic Project:

Community Outreach 2012

Coastal Archaeology, Heritage and Education for Sustainable

Development

Alison KeirUniversity of the Highlands and Islands

Rinyo and Bigland Valley

Knowe of Swandro

• Rinyo and Bigland Valley: Small scale programme of non-intrusive archaeological and palaeoenvironmental research.Aimed to put the known Neolithic remains in their spatial andtemporal context.

• Knowe of Swandro: Archaeological excavation of multi-periodstructures and deposits eroding from the coast.

• Engage local children in the archaeology and folkloreof their island through the on-going work of theOrkney Gateway to the Atlantic Project.

• Link together the landscape survey undertaken atRinyo with the excavation at the Knowe of Swandro.

• Work closely with archaeologists from each projectto investigate Rousay’s rich archaeological remains,learn archaeological skills, and explore the conceptsof environmental change, landscape change, andhuman adaptation and resilience over the last fivethousand years.

Interpretation of an ancient landscape: Rinyo Neolithic settlement and Bigland Round Tomb

Introduction to Rinyo and BiglandValley


Field trip to Rinyo and BiglandValley



Animal bone investigation


A Race Against the Tide: Archaeological Survey, Excavation and Analysis at the Coast

Survey of a Viking house


Excavation at the Knowe of Swandro


Soil sample sorting and artefact analysis

The Archaeology of a Myth: Excavating a Hogboon's Home

"Hogboons take their name from the old Norse 'Haug Bui' meaning mound dweller. They lived in a mound next to a house, and could

bring luck to a family if they were treated with respect. Offerings of food were left on the mound for the benefit of the Hogboon. They seem to have a particular tie with one specific family, leaving their

mounds to follow them to a new home."

Muir, T. (1998) The Mermaid Bride and other Orkney folk tales. The Orcadian Limited.

The Archaeology of a Myth: Exhibition and Film Screening



Reflection• Between 4-8 kids on each activity which is a good turn out

considering there are only 20 kids on the island and it was during the summer holidays

• Make it a bigger media affair – more involvement from local radio, newpaper, magazines

• Make better use of social networking to promote club activities

• Collaboration is key

• More formal integration of sustainability education into activities directly related to archaeological research

Outcomes• Film

• Website

• Connections made with local primary school

• Interest from local youth group association

• Exhibition and film will be on show over winter in the Orkney Museum

• Engage local and wider community with work of Orkney Gateway to the Atlantic Project

• Raise awareness about the threat of coastal erosion to Rousay’s rich archaeological heritage

• Explore community perceptions of coastal archaeology for PhD research

©BradfordUniversity/UHI

Reflection• More tours/tour guides to meet demand

• Questionnaires for immediate feedback

Outcomes• Positive feedback and constructive criticism from

participants about how to improve future tours

• Successfully attracted local Rousay residents, greater Orkney residents, and tourists

• Boosted local economy by bringing people to the island who spent money on local services and amenities (ferry, bus, shop and pub)

• Generated discussion with the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust about how to develop the walk and turn it into a tourist friendly attraction:

Signage access app guide book and audio tour

website

Institutions and organisations