In September 2023, an Archaeology Scotland Excavation project was undertaken at Carnasserie Farm, Kilmartin in collaboration with Kilmartin Museum.
The archaeological study area was within the renowned Prehistoric landscape of Kilmartin Glen, which has a large concentration of Prehistoric rock art sites. Following on from survey work undertaken in 2007, Archaeology Scotland and Kilmartin Museum undertook excavation around three of the rock art sites at Carnasserie Farm.
Over the two-week excavation period, volunteers from the local community had the fantastic opportunity to take part in the excavation, local schools and groups including the Ardrishaig Guides and older Brownies had the opportunity to visit the excavated trench sites and learn a great deal from the archaeologists on site.
The Ardrishaig Guides and older Brownies agreed to take part in the project and to work towards receiving a ‘Heritage Hero Award’ certificate. The Heritage Hero Awards are run by Archaeology Scotland and are an award scheme open to anyone engaging with cultural heritage. The scheme also aims to inspire young people to
develop a lifelong interest in the past and to reward achievement.
Prior to their visit to the excavation site, the Kilmartin Museum Education team visited the Guides and delivered a ‘Rock Art’ clay craft activity session, and it was a fun way to inform the group about the importance of Argyll’s rock art carvings, the sites, and the archaeology.
Accompanied by the Kilmartin Education team, the group then attended the excavation site and visited all the trenches which were spread over a large area of rough hilly grassland.
At each trench site, Archaeology Scotland archaeologists Gavin McGregor, Kieran Manchip and Kilmartin museums archaeologist Aaron Watson delivered detailed archaeological explanations to the girls. There was time also to visit one of the highest Bronze Age Cairn (burial) sites which overlooked the trenches from a distance, it truly is an amazing prehistoric landscape!
To complete their day with the Kilmartin Team, the group visited the new Kilmartin Museum and enjoyed exploring the new interactive activities within the museum gallery.
Following their excavation day, the Guides devoted time in their weekly meetings (October and November) to carrying out research which they did individually. All this information and their experiences of the archaeological sites was included in a short video film which they created. Along with the completed clay work, this evidential work counted towards the group completing the necessary hours required to achieve the Heritage Hero Detective Award.
On the evening of January, Kilmartin Museum’s education team Julia and Jacquelyn, were delighted to present the certificates to each member of the group, saying: "This small project was an amazing fun and informative way for the girls to be involved in the incredible archaeology and the amazing prehistoric landscape of Kilmartin Glen.
"The girls and their leaders worked incredibly hard on many aspects of this small project, especially their research; this is a well-deserved award for every one of them."
Feedback from the Brownies and Guides was positive: "It was fun and interesting to see the archaeologists working together with volunteers on the excavation."
"It was nice to be up in the hills and seeing a different landscape."
"It was interesting to learn about the history of the Cup and Ring Marks."
"…encouraged me more to go and see, to explore the Rock Art carvings that are in the local area."
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.