Archaeo-geophysical survey in Scotland: going beyond the myth

For many years the ‘myth’ that ‘geophysics does not work in Scotland’ has been held amongst archaeologists. Archaeo-geophysics has been regarded as unnecessary and a waste of money, despite the continuous and steadily increasing use of these techniques at Scottish sites. Whilst geophysical techniques are mentioned in the Scottish national guidelines (PAN 42, Scottish Office 1994), their integration as routine techniques into the recommendations given by planning officers to developers has had only limited success. In 2003, the contributions of geophysical surveys in Scottish archaeology was reviewed at the conference ‘Going over Old Ground’ (Jones and Sharpe 2006). A second effort to promote the potential of archaeological geophysics in archaeological field evaluation was made with the ALGAO (Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers) and the IfA’s GeoSIG Seminar in Geophysics in 2010. A period of review of the contribution of archaeological science, including the role of geophysical techniques, to cultural resource management in Scotland was initiated in 2013, with the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF). In fact, the growing number of research-based surveys undertaken throughout Scotland, the proliferation of geophysical commercial companies, and the number of archaeological community projects based on geophysical surveys show that the view on the role of geophysical survey in Scottish archaeology has been changing. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the development of the use of archaeo-geophysics in Scotland. Aspects related to the particularities of the Scottish landscape, archaeological targets and overall survey environment that, according to the author, are key to be considered in archaeo-geophysics will be discussed. The author will consider the past, present and future of archaeo-geophysics in Scotland taking into account academic, curational and commercial aspects.