Donald Sutherland

I am currently nearing completion of my MSc in Maritime Archaeology from the University of Southampton (2013-14) where I serve as Vice President of the Centre for Maritime Archaeology's research group. During the past year I have developed my archaeological skillset and gained greater insight and experience into both the theory and practice of both maritime and terrestrial archaeology. My personal research is focussed on connectivity during the early Neolithic in the coastal and island regions of northwest Scotland and I am particularly interested in the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic in this area. For the past three seasons I have been involved in the Ardnamurchan Transitions Project (ATP) where I began as a student, then volunteer and was invited back as a staff member for the 2014 season. This experience has honed my archaeological skills and provided me with the opportunity to teach and supervise less experienced students. The diversity of sites on this project, both in terms of typology and chronology, has broadened my knowledge and understanding of archaeology while the project's dedication to outreach and community engagement is an aspect that I have thoroughly enjoyed. My background in law (University of Aberdeen 2005-9) has provided a sound understanding of the legal issues surrounding heritage and archaeology in both the UK and on an international level. This education has also honed my critical and analytical skills which have served me in good stead during my personal research as an archaeologist.

Day 1: On November 15th, twenty-something intrepid archaeologists began their journey to deepest, darkest Cornwall. The trip got off to a fairly inauspicious start, with one person being left behind. Nevertheless, in true archaeological spirit, we soldiered on. Following a long yet fairly uneventful drive, we made it to Falmouth. Finding the boat store, however, proved more difficult, and we began to wonder if Julian’s set of directions were in fact our first test. Continue reading →