News

Last year ACFA took part in the public consultation on the draft Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland and the Outline Business case for the merger between Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.  Our written submission can be found in the Members’ Area.

The new strategy that emerged from the consultations and further discussions has just been published.  The intention is to ensure that Scotland’s Historic Environment is cared for, valued and protected in a sustainable way.  The strategy can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/03/8522 .

The Historic Environment Bill to create a new Non-Departmental Public Body, Historic Environment Scotland, has been laid before the Scottish Parliament and can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/73219.aspx .

ACFA members are taking part in a new archaeology project based in Rouken Glen Park on the southside of Glasgow. The project will kick off with a training weekend for community volunteers on March 15 and 16. A group of ACFA members will help tutor the volunteers in learning to recognise features in the landscape with a guided walk-over of the park and continuing with an introduction to surveying. 

The Saturday will also see the launch of Dig It Archaeology Year 2015.

Glen Lochay survey dates for March to June have been announced.  They are:  March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, May 4, and May 11.  All dates are Sundays.  A camping weekend is also planned.  More details can be found in the Members’ Area.

On Saturday22nd March 2014, the SCAPE Trust is hosting an Archaeology Fact Finding Event in Glasgow. Designed for all those who have an interest in and take part in archaeology and heritage in a non-professional capacity, this one-off event will give you the opportunity to get up to speed with the incredible range of techniques, specialisms and services across the sector and meet the experts and practitioners face to face.

The day will be structured into 2 parts: short presentations throughout the morning and timed surgeries in the afternoon where you will be able to find out more about specific techniques and services, discuss project ideas and meet specialists and contractors.

The event will be held at the Western General Lecture Theatre and more information can be found at SCHARP’s website.

A group of ACFA members attended this interesting day which began with a classroom introduction to the website.  An interactive map gives access to the data from various coastal assessments with links to site records and the ability to view in satellite mode which gives a good view of your chosen site.  We were shown how to record changes to an existing record or report new sites.  The afternoon was spent on the southern shore of the Clyde under the Erskine Bridge learning how to use the smart phone app in the field.

The 26th Annual General Meeting of ACFA was held on Saturday Ocober 26.  There was a good turn out by members who enjoyed the opportunity to socialise once the business of the evening was finished.  They were delighted to welcome seven new associate members to their ranks.  Members also welcomed the news that the Certificate in Field Archaeology (Glasgow University Centre for Open Studies) is due to recommence in 2014.  A full report of the evening will appear in the next issue of the Newsletter.

Next Social event Saturday February 22 2014

The winners of the 2013 ACFA Photography Competition announced at the AGM on Saturday October 26 were:

Archaeology in the UK: The Stones of Stenness by Janie Munro

Archaeology Abroad: The Lion in Winter (Nemrut Dag) by Jean Hirst

Humour: "Has anyone seen my parrot?" by Fred Hay

…and the winner of the ACFA Memorial Quaich was The Stones of Stenness by Janie Munro

The Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA) was formed in 1987. Its membership comprises holders of the University of Glasgow Certificate in Field Archaeology, awarded by the Department of Adult & Continuing Education, now the Centre for Open Studies. The intention of the course was to teach adult students the basic principles of archaeological field survey and the importance of recording our cultural heritage of all periods.

The present Certificate in Field Archaeology is a two year modular course which aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of archaeological field survey and British, especially Scottish archaeology. Applications for membership of ACFA would be considered from holders of an equivalent qualification in Field Archaeology from other Universities.  Applications for associate membership would be considered from those who have demonstrated a level of experience and commitment to the practice of Field Archaeology.

What we do…

ACFA seeks to continue this work by undertaking field surveys in Scotland. The Association is willing to undertake non-commercial surveys at the request of private individuals, local community groups, Heritage and Local History societies etc. Members who participate in surveys do so in a voluntary capacity and ACFA does not charge for its services, but seeks grants and is willing to accept donations to offset costs. All surveys undertaken are recorded and the results published in our ACFA Occasional Paper Series, which is allocated an ISBN number and lodged with the Royal Commission for Ancient & Historical Monuments in Scotland and other public bodies. To date, ACFA has carried out over 100 surveys in Scotland in areas as widespread geographically as Sandwood in Sutherland, North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and Coalburn in South Lanarkshire.