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Starts: 19:30
Ends: 21:00
Highland Archaeology Festival Conference - Plenary Session
Gonzo Archaeology: the search for a creative archaeological narrative
Talk by Matt Ritchie, Forestry and Land Scotland archaeologist.
Organised by Highland Council Historic Environment Team. Venue: Council Chambers, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness (entrance at the glass doors, at the western side of the building). Collect a parking permit just inside the glass doors. Suggested donation £5. Wheelchair accessible. No booking needed.
Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The talk will last approximately 1 hour with time for questions at the end.
Gonzo journalism is an unconventional style of journalism that relies on the reporter's personal involvement in the story. Gonzo archaeology takes the conventional objective study of material culture and its subjective interpretation and seeks to add more unconventional creative elements to the story. In order to prepare a creative archaeological narrative, the gonzo archaeologist must balance factual understanding and creative engagement. The factual element is educational and informative, using archaeological information and methodology to lead to understanding. The creative element is inspirational and imaginative, using descriptive writing and artistic visualisation to lead to appreciation. The gonzo archaeologist also seeks to include the people and processes behind the scenes – in the field or in the lab – as an integral element of their work.
In this talk, Forestry and Land Scotland’s archaeologist Matt Ritchie will describe his work towards developing a creative archaeological narrative style. Join him as he imagines Mesolithic map makers, Neolithic tomb keepers and rock artists and Iron Age broch builders. Expect amazing drone photography, beautiful archaeological portraits and superb artwork!
Matt Ritchie is the archaeologist for Forestry and Land Scotland, one of a team of national environment advisors providing advice and guidance in relation to the protection and conservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage on Scotland's national forests and land. His particular interests are the methodology and visualisation of archaeological measured survey; the potential of place-based outdoor archaeological learning; and the integration of archaeology and the historic environment within the wider context of sustainable land management. He describes his role as to ‘top and tail’ projects: assessing cultural significance and identifying opportunities; developing and commissioning work; and communicating the results to wider communities of interest. Recent publications include A Song in Stone: exploring Scotland’s Neolithic rock art (2021) (see also the short animated film A Song in Stone); To Build a Broch: from construction to conservation (2022); and The Bare Bones: explore the Early Neolithic chambered cairns of the North Channel (2023).
Highland Council Historic Environment Team
Email: highlandarchaeologyfestival@gmail.com
Tel: 077888 35466
www.highlandarchaeologyfestival.org
