EXPERTS are heading to Peebles next month to shine a light on the region's distant past.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Peeblesshire Archaeological Society a special one-day conference is being held.
Leading lights from across the world of archaeology will descend on the MacFarlane Hall to discuss the surrounding area through the ages.
Peeblesshire Archaeological Society chairman Trevor Cowie said: "In a series of short papers, invited guest speakers – all experts in their fields - will explore various aspects of the Peeblesshire’s archaeology from the earliest human settlement of the region to medieval times."
Mr Cowie will himself present a review of the past and present activities of the Society.
Palaeoecologist and geo-archaeologist Dr Richard Tipping will then discuss the changing landscapes and environments of Tweeddale and the Southern Uplands.
The recently retired Stirling University lecturer will evaluate how much of the region's scenery can be traced to human activities in prehistory and history, from the end of the last ice age to recent centuries. Bringing the first session to a close, is Professor Graeme Warren from University College Dublin, who will then talk about the evidence for the settlement of Tweeddale by groups of hunter-gatherers after the end of the last Ice Age.
Understanding of the Mesolithic period has been significantly enhanced by fieldwork undertaken by local archaeological groups such as the Peeblesshire Archaeological Society.
Following a refreshment break, Dr Alison Sheridan from National Museums Scotland will deliver a presentation on the time from the first appearance of farmers in Tweeddale around 3900 BC to nearly 1500 years later, when metal-using became well established and farming society had undergone significant changes.
Before the event's lunch break Strat Halliday, who worked for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, will explore aspects of the region’s exceptionally rich later prehistoric settlement record, drawing on the evidence of key local sites such as the impressive forts on Cademuir and White Meldon.
Dr Fraser Hunter from National Museums Scotland will begin the afternoon session with a talk on the impact of Rome on Peeblesshire, exploring how over some four centuries the region experienced the ebb and flow of military occupation at the edge of the Empire.
Fraser will be followed by author and researcher Dr Tim Clarkson, who will consider Tweeddale in the Early Middle Ages, looking at the archaeological evidence from a historian's viewpoint, considering it alongside modern ideas about the political geography and cultural identities of the period.
One of the most significant recent local projects was the surveys and excavations carried out in Glenrath in 2013, and in his presentation, Dr Graeme Cavers from AOC Archaeology will review the findings and consider its implications.
Concluding the afternoon session will be Dr Piers Dixon, formerly of Historic Environment Scotland, and Scottish Borders Council's archaeologist Dr Chris Bowles.
Dr Dixon will consider how understandings of Tweeddale in the medieval period has changed in the last 50 years.
And Dr Bowles will round off the event by drawing on the themes covered over the course of the day to consider the future of archaeology in Tweeddale and the impact of the large-scale changes in land use that are likely to be witness over the next 25 years.
The 25th anniversary special event will be held in the MacFarlane Hall (Peebles Old Parish Church) on Saturday, October 19 from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Tickets, which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch) cost £20.
For details of the programme and a booking form check out the Society’s website http://www.peeblesarchsoc.org.uk/ or pick up a leaflet from the Tweeddale Museum or Whitie’s Bookshop.
Illustrations
1. View of Iron Age hillfort, Milkieston Rings, Eddleston (© Stephen Scott)
2. Roman silver coins from hoard found at Edston Quarry in 1994, now in Tweeddale Museum (Photo © National Museums Scotland)
3. Early Christian cist graves and interpretive panel on the Abbey Knowe, Lyne – one of the Society’s local ‘Adopt-a-Monument’ projects(© PAS)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here