The Isle of Raasay, on the west coast of Scotland, holds a rich treasury of archaeological remains that document how people lived and worked on the island for the last 10,000 years. Raasay: The ACFA Surveys 1995-2009 brings together the results of annual surveys of the island conducted by volunteers with the Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists, under the joint direction of John Macdonald and Scott Wood. Combining an analysis of the archaeological data with historical documents, oral traditions, and insights from people who live on Raasay, the book provides a detailed description of the archaeology of the island, and aims to demonstrate the value of detailed, but low-tech, archaeological survey for discovering and understanding the past.
The Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA) was formed in 1987. Its membership comprises holders of the University of Glasgow Certificate in Field Archaeology, awarded by the Department of Adult & Continuing Education, now the Centre for Open Studies. The intention of the course was to teach adult students the basic principles of archaeological field survey and the importance of recording our cultural heritage of all periods. ACFA seeks to continue this work by undertaking field surveys in Scotland.To date, ACFA has carried out over 140 surveys in Scotland in areas as widespread geographically as Sandwood in Sutherland, North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and Coalburn in South Lanarkshire. More information about ACFA can be found on the organisation’s website: www.acfabaseline.info
About the Author Amy Gazin-Schwartz has a Ph.D in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was Associate Professor of Anthropology at Assumption College. She is co-editor of two books, Landscapes of Clearance with Angèle Smith (2005) and Archaeology and Folklore with Cornelius Holtorf (1999). In addition to participating in about half of the annual Raasay surveys, and working on a number of archaeology projects in Scotland and northern England, she co-directed, with Olivia Lelong, the Strathnaver Province Archaeology Project.
(Photo: D. Carslaw)
To purchase the book: Raasay: The ACFA Archaeological Surveys 1995-2009 can be purchased from the Raasay Community Stores.
Contact David Carslaw via Facebook: www.facebook.com/RaasayCommunityStores/.
Cost in British Pound Sterling, including postage is:
UK £19.45
EU £24.65
US £29.35
AUS £30.10
Raasay Archaeology 