‘Re-Discovering Ava: the Achavanich Beaker Burial project
(LIVE STREAM: Details will be sent to members closer to the date.)
Discovered in 1987, the beaker burial cist from Craig-na-feich, Achavanich, Caithness was mostly forgotten about for nearly 30 years until its chance re-discovery in 2014. Over the following few years, a wide range of research was undertaken to try and better understand the individual interred in the burial, including: ancient DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating, bone histology, stable isotope analysis, pollen residue analysis, as well as pottery and osteological reports and a facial reconstruction. The results have revealed remarkable detail about Copper Age/Early Bronze Age Caithness and have been successfully disseminated to engage people across the globe. This research was published in the 2017/18 Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and won the coveted R B K Stevenson award.
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