Holyrood Park Field School

Archaeological survey and excavation in the heart of Edinburgh

26thAugust to 13th September 2024

A research collaboration between The University of Edinburgh, AOC Archaeology, and Historic Environment Scotland.

This three-week field school provides intensive training for archaeological undergraduates in essential archaeological survey and excavation skills. Students receive hands-on instruction from experienced commercial archaeology staff in essential archaeological field skills including tape and total station field survey, photogrammetry and excavation.

The aim of the project is to assess the impacts of erosion to archaeological sites caused by climate change and increasing visitor numbers to the park every year.

Read daily project updates throughout the season on our project blog!

Find daily updates from our students throughout the season here!

The once impressive fortifications of hillforts on Arthur’s Seat and Dunsapie Crag survive today as low stony banks.

Ancient cultivation terraces above Dunsapie Loch have been worn by footpaths to the summit of Arthur’s Seat.