30 project, GUARD Archaeology are assisting BAM Nuttall and Perth and Kinross Council to reconstruct the souterrain discovered at Broxy Kennels fort in an accessible area so the public can view it for generations to come. The excavation also offered the opportunity for ten placement students from the University of the Highlands and Islands to gain experience in archaeological fieldwork, using bespoke training plans in core skills for archaeological fieldwork linked to Pathway to PCIfA standards. Each student also earned a Heritage Hero Award, courtesy of Archaeology Scotland, for their participation. A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE Careful planning, collaboration, coordination and a professional approach led to the successful delivery of the excavation to the standards expected by CIfA, as well as it being undertaken in tandem with an exceptional programme of outreach activities that sets a high bar for future development projects. Demonstrating the delivery of public benefit is increasingly important within developmentled archaeology and programmes of archaeological work provide can provide an excellent opportunity for clients and developers to deliver social value outcomes. This is why GUARD Archaeology now includes specific reference in all our method statements to the need to deliver public benefit and social value through the archaeological works we undertake. This inclusion is in accordance with the CIfA Standards and the guidance published by the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers Scotland, which is linked to the National Planning Framework 4 and embeds outreach as part of Archaeology Conditions in the planning system. With credit to Perth and Kinross Council, AMS Ltd, BAM Nuttall, GUARD Archaeology Ltd and Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. of the excavation – no easy task on what was a live construction site just off the A9, one of Scotland’s arterial transport routes. Nevertheless, GUARD Archaeology facilitated visits from three local primary schools and provided site tours to local heritage groups and students and lecturers from the universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. Four open days held during the course of the excavation allowed 400 members of the public to meet the GUARD Archaeology team and see first-hand what was being discovered on-site. Regular updates on progress and findings were also provided to the local press and council website. Following the excavation, GUARD Archaeology engaged with a local Young Archaeology Club in Dunkeld in November 2023 and gave a lecture to the Dunkeld Historical Society. GUARD Archaeology also presented at a project open day in October 2023 and gifted a ‘Behind the Scenes Tour’ of the postexcavation works at their lab as part of a charity auction in aid of a local mental health charity, The Lighthouse for Perth. A second project open day is planned for April 2024, with further lectures and public engagement planned for 2024 and beyond. In terms of a legacy for the archaeological works on this The souterrain from the east end Archaeology team’s excavation allowed ten placement students the opportunity to join in the fieldwork KEY OUTCOMES/MESSAGES • this large infrastructure project has provided significant community benefits, including an exceptional programme of outreach activities, in accordance with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 • the collaborative approach ensured that the entire team were more invested in the project • careful planning, collaboration, coordination and professionalism led to the successful delivery of the excavations to the standards expected by CIfA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzI0Mzk=