Making finds matter

using charismatic objects, people power and digital technologies to build a better future for archaeological finds in Scotland

Abstract

From enigmatic carved stone balls to the patched breeches of an 18th-century bog body, many archaeological finds from Scotland are, without doubt, fabulous. Through these objects and the practices they embody, we can imagine alternative ways of living and thinking, wonder at past people’s ingenuity and skill, and revisit significant moments in our own lives. Archaeological finds are also often fragile, scattered across diverse locations, and often difficult to access or find out about following their initial discovery. Only very few archaeological objects make it into museum displays where they can be widely enjoyed. In economically and socially challenging times, even these items can be hard to reach. Linking into wider moves to improve access to heritage collections in Scotland and across the UK, the Boundary Objects Project celebrated captivating archaeological objects from Scotland and the diverse sets of people involved in their discovery. Contemporary digital technologies and the goodwill, skills and energy of a wide set of archaeological professionals, students and enthusiasts were harnessed in order to improve access to information to scattered digital records relating to archaeological objects and sites, to raise the prominence of these items in existing community-led heritage initiatives, and to engage diverse audiences in actively enjoying them. This paper summarises work on the Boundary Objects Project – a collaboration between the universities of Reading and Manchester in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and National Museums Scotland (NMS) – in the context of wider multi-stranded moves to build a better future for archaeological finds in and well beyond Scotland.