Upon completing the course, you will have:

• Understanding of the development of Pictish society and the archaeological traces of the Picts
• Acquired key practical skills in archaeological excavation, survey and recording methods (including geophysical, traditional drawing, laser scanning, drone survey and photogrammetry).
• A good understanding of the aims, methodology and results of an archaeological excavation and an ability to participate in research excavation and understand the logistics involved
• Established experience in how to describe and critically evaluate stratigraphic relationships of archaeological features and deposits.
• Applied knowledge of the conventions regarding archaeological field records, including context sheets, plan drawings, section drawings, artefact drawings, artefact and feature photography, Harris matrices, and a site report.
• Acquired an understanding of the processes involved in post-excavation including processing environmental samples, sorting artefacts and basic conservation steps
• Awareness and experience of the computer skills needed to create maps and digital data for analysis of excavation and survey data.

This summer school feeds into the on-going research of the school coordinators, Professor Gordon Noble and Ellie Graham of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Aberdeen on early medieval archaeology, digital skills in survey and excavation, and the emergence of the Picts.

The long-term Northern Picts Project is casting new light on the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ of Northern Britain and Scotland. A central research question focuses on the interactions between Roman and Iron Age communities, the ways in which this led to the development of the first documented kingdoms in Northeast Scotland, and how the powerful Pictish polity which ruled over much of northern Scotland in the first millennium AD changed through time.

The origins of the mysterious Pictish culture and their precursors are poorly understood, despite playing a pivotal role in the emergence of the medieval kingdom of Scotland, but their captivating carved stones are some of the most eye-catching and enigmatic monuments of early medieval Europe.

In 2025 the Archaeology Field Excavation Summer School will take part in excavations at East Lomond, part of a long-term project on a major hilltop settlement which spans the Roman Iron Age and early medieval periods, covering the time period in which the Picts emerged in Late Roman sources and went on to become the largest kingdom of early medieval Scotland.

East Lomond enjoys commanding views overlooking the entirety of Fife, over the Tay Estuary to the north, and to the south to Edinburgh over the Firth of Forth – which represented the southern boundary of the Pictish kingdom. This strategic location made it an ideal location for a regional stronghold of the Pictish ruling elite.

Recent excavations have provided convincing scientific dating evidence, and revealed the importance of the site, with rich occupation material. Finds from the 2024 work highlighted its role on the international stage, with evidence of connections across Europe and beyond including Late Roman amphora suggesting the Pictish elite here were drinking Mediterranean wine. Dense and intensive settlement activity is shown by multiple structures and hearths with evidence of crafting and metalworking, key activities at Late Roman Iron Age and early medieval high-status sites.

The field school includes a range of field trips and visits, particularly focused on exploring other Pictish sites around northeast and central Scotland, including the northern hillfort of Tap O’Noth and the early royal centre of Rhynie, Pictish stones near Inverurie and elsewhere in Northeast Scotland, the Pictish early Christian site (and modern scenic town) of St Andrews, and the mysterious Wemyss Caves on the Fife coast, home to the largest collection of Pictish carvings cut into the living rockface.

This summer school is a field-based programme where you will be undertaking an archaeological excavation and survey activities outdoors. As such, this will involve long spells outside, undertaking physically demanding activity. This includes shovelling and moving buckets of soil, with a lot of time spent bending over on your knees while trowelling. That said, we will try to accommodate those who are physically less able – if you have any concerns do get in touch.

You will be working in the picturesque Scottish outdoors. While known for its beauty, it is also known for its changeable weather, and you should be ready to work in a variety of different weather conditions! You will need to bring clothes suitable for both hot and cold conditions, waterproof jacket and trousers, and a good pair of work boots. We will provide all of the necessary equipment you will need to undertake your excavation, including a trowel.

Finally, we ask that you follow all of the health and safety instructions we give you before and during the excavation, for your own personal wellbeing and the safety of those around you. If you have any further questions about the nature of the work being undertaken on this summer school, please contact us at goabroad.incoming@abdn.ac.uk.

Thursday, July 3

• Arrival Day

Friday, July 4

• Introductions and Welcome Session. Enjoy a tour of the University of Aberdeen, your home for the next 2 weeks. The school is located in Old Aberdeen, a beautiful urban area in Scotland, with buildings dating back to the 15th century.
• Lecture with Professor Gordon
• Free evening

Saturday July 5

• Field Trip to Tap o'Noth, a Pictish fort on a beautiful summit with views, a royal enclosure in Rhynie, a village known for its fossils from the Devonian time period, and the famous Craw Stane, a large granite slab that was carved in the 5th century. Simply awe-inspiring!
• Take a trip to Dunnottar Castle, a fortress perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded by the three sides of the North Sea, that was once owned by the Marischal family, one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Enjoy a walk along the crags below, explore Stonehaven Harbour, the largest of the recreational harbours in Aberdeen. Enjoy traditional fish and chips while at the Aberdeen beachfront, famous for its golden sand. There is a beautiful grassy area adjacent to the sand where people like to watch the kite-boarders and surfers. 

Sunday, July 6

• Workshop: Introduction to the excavation.
• Workshop: Survey techniques, drone surveys and laser scanning
• Free evening

Monday, July 7

• Travel to Fife by bus where you will spend the next 11 nights in another beautiful region of Scotland called East Lomond. 
• Site tour & practical intro to excavation methods
• Evening lecture: An introduction to East Lomond

Tuesday, July 8

• Excavation all day
• Walking Tour of Falkland and Falkland Palace, a royal palace of the Scottish kings. There are acres of formal gardens, Britian's oldest tennis courts and years of history depicted in art and antiquities. 

Wednesday, July 9

• Excavation all day
• Evening Lecture: Digital recording

Thursday, July 10

• Excavation all day
• Free evening

Friday, July 11

• Excavation all day
• Lecture

Saturday, July 12

• Field Trip to Wemyss Caves, eleven caves, a by-product of erosion and coastal movement over 6,000 years ago. Intricate carvings are on the walls and tell of times from long ago. Drive to St. Andrew's, most famously known for its legendary golf course, but a charming seaside town to wander around and visit.  
• Free evening

Sunday, July 13

• Excavation all day
• Free evening

Monday, July 14

• Excavation all day
• Lecture: Alex Woolf speaking about the Southern PIcts

Tuesday, July 15

• Excavation all day
• Free evening

Wednesday, July 16

• Excavation all day
• Free evening

Thursday, July 17

• Excavation all day
• Movie Night

Friday, July 18

• Pack up and travel back to Aberdeen via Aberlemno. View beautiful carved stones and visit the Meffan Museum.

Saturday, July 19

• Day off to rest, relax and enjoy a final free day to explore Aberdeen.

Sunday, July 20

• Workshop: Sample processing
• Workshop: First aid for excavation finds
• Free evening

Monday, July 21

• Field Trip to Burghead site, visitor center and Elgin Museum

Tuesday, July 22

• Workshop: Computer lab GIS
• Workshop: Computer lab digitization
• Farewell Dinner

Wednesday, July 23

• Departure Day

This program will run from July 3 to July 23, 2025.

This is a credit bearing class. You will receive 3 credits towards a MAPH or Anthropology class. 

All participants will be housed in University residence halls. 

£4,000, roughly $4,000 USD

Price Includes:

• All tuition, teaching materials and a transcript.
• Lab and Site Materials.
• Transport costs to and from excavation/field sites.
• 9 nights accommodation (uncatered) in University halls of residence.
• 11 nights accommodation (including breakfast and evening meals) near the excavation site.
• Leisure and Social activities 

Not included:

• International travel to and from the UK.
• Transport costs to/from the University from within the UK.
• Travel or health insurance.
• Visa costs, where applicable.
• All meal costs

Applications are due by February 28, 2025