The 10,000-year-old home found outside Edinburgh by archaeologists in 2012 gave us a unique insight into how our ancient ancestors lived during the Mesolithic period.
This amazing find was made as preparations progressed to build the Queensferry Crossing. It was not the first time big infrastructure projects have revealed our past to us in this way, and it probably won’t be the last.
But there is every chance that it could become harder in future if Scotland does not ensure it has enough archaeologists to identify such finds.
The director of Archaeology Scotland, a charitable body, has called for more archaeologists to be trained to ensure that Scotland’s heritage is recorded and safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
The call comes following a report from English Heritage which outlined a drastic shortage in archaeologists available to service the needs of proposed large infrastructure projects over the next five years.
The report pointed out that the UK’s higher education institutions are unlikely to be able to train the numbers needed in this short time. And it called for archaeologists to be paid more – low pay and poor conditions means many are forced to leave the profession.
It is concerning, of course, that the nation’s heritage could be at risk due to a lack of trained professionals. But this tricky situation also presents governments and archaeology firms with a unique opportunity to inject new momentum into the profession.
The Scottish Government has already committed itself to expanding the number of apprenticeships it offers to young people and surely archaeology must now be considered an expanding sector worthy of funding; it seems the work will certainly here for new recruits.
Alongside an expansion in available places at our universities, this could create a bigger, stronger, more resilient workforce. And that could only help protect and augment the ancient heritage of Scotland and beyond.
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