Outdoor archaeological learning
We encourage people of all ages to be inspired by Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, and by the historic environment all around us. Exploring evidence from our shared past can help us understand the world we live in. We've published a collection of resources, articles and activities to encourage place-based learning.
Archaeology is a methodology and a way of thinking that can help piece together clues from our shared past. Through observation and discussion, ideas and theories take shape. Using archaeological recording techniques at an historic site can be a great way to explore the past and learn in a truly cross-curricular context.
Outdoor Archaeological Learning (PDF)
Through discovery, exploration and sharing, young people can develop their critical thinking skills, creativity, confidence and teamwork. Our booklet, Outdoor Archaeological Learning, is full of great content, with advice and guidance supporting a range of activity suggestions, from time lines to graphic stories and cut out models. It's all based around the idea of going to visit an archaeological or historic site, recording and discussing it, then creating an interpretative poster with both factual text and creative drawing and writing. Outdoor Archaeological Learning is intended for anyone taking groups of children to an archaeological site: teachers, youth group leaders and archaeological educators.
Further learning resources
The Bare Bones (New)
The ‘Bone Detectives’ activity puts learners in the role of osteoarchaeologists examining the bones found within a Neolithic chambered cairn.
To Build a Broch
Step back in time to imagine the construction of a broch in stone and timber, and ask yourself what it meant to build a broch.
A Song In Stone
Join our Neolithic rock artists Pix and Derm to discover an outdoor art gallery several thousand years old, part of a shared cultural heritage that can be found all along the Atlantic coastline of Europe.
Dendrochronology
Join dendrochronologists Danny and Donald in learning about the history and science of tree ring dating.
Into the Wildwoods
This beautifully illustrated booklet explores the world of the wild harvesters, living within the wildwoods of Scotland over six thousand years ago.
The First Foresters
This beautifully illustrated booklet links today’s native woodlands, the ancient wildwood of the past and the Neolithic pioneers who ventured into it.
Dun Deardail
The vitrified hillfort of Dun Deardail was built in the shadow of Ben Nevis around 2500 years ago and was eventually destroyed in a catastrophic fire.
The Picts
The Picts are one of Scotland’s greatest mysteries: an apparently vanished nation, chronicled by others but not by themselves.
Recumbent stones circles
Recumbent stone circles are amongst the oldest surviving structures in Scotland. They were built during the Bronze Age, roughly 4,000 years ago.