ScARF - Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (original) (raw)

ScARF is managed by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and grant funded by Historic Environment Scotland as a key part of it’s commitment to Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy. ScARF delivers Aim 2 of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy – to Enhance Understanding, and will continue to grow and evolve as our understanding of the past changes.

The first ScARF national panel reports were published in June 2012. The nine reports (covering seven chronological periods and two overarching themes of Marine & Maritime and Archaeological Science) were the culmination of four years of work by over 350 experts in archaeology and related fields. The result was a multi-authored and multi-disciplinary snapshot of the current state of thought and knowledge as well as a providing a set of research questions for the future. The original panel reports can be viewed on the ScARF website and are also available to download for free.

The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) is designed to be the go-to research resource for Scottish archaeology – one which provides an overview of the subject and a set of useful and relevant research questions for everyone to use.

The framework makes it possible for anyone wishing to contribute to the research environment of Scotland to effectively plan their work in relation to the framework and ensure that future research is relevant and effectively contributes to our understanding of the past.

The current focus of the ScARF project is to develop new regional research frameworks, which in time will cover Scotland. Each regional research framework will enhance and update the original national framework created in 2012 to eventually build a new picture of the current research priorities across Scotland. By investigating each geographical area in finer resolution, they will highlight key regional differences and inform future research priorities for all parts of the sector.

ScARF continues to encourage research into Scottish archaeology and in particular support new and early career researchers to tackle some of the research questions. Students are the future of archaeological research and by building a relationship with ScARF, we can ensure that future research is relevant and effectively contributes to our understanding of the past. ScARF provides bursaries for students and ECR’s as part of our Student Network.

To broaden participation in our shared heritage and in-line with Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy, ScARF actively encourages everyone to engage in archaeological research. Collaborating with museums and experts, ScARF organises free to attend Skills Workshops designed for any individuals who are involved with or has an interest in museum collections and archaeological research in Scotland.