GUARD Archaeology Ltd

31/08/2026

New house owners at Erskine in Renfrewshire may not be aware that they inhabit the same space where a hitherto lost prehistoric settlement once was. Mysteriously abandoned over three thousand years ago, the archaeological remains, long buried and forgotten, have been brought to light in a new publication. The excavations at Northbar revealed burials and settlement from the early to middle Bronze Age, providing evidence of funerary activity and daily life including crop production and processing, animal husbandry, weaving, manufacturing pottery vessels, roundhouse construction techniques and how a settlement developed over several centuries. https://www.guard-archaeology.co.uk/GALNews/?p=960

15/08/2026

A previously unknown Roman marching camp dating to the first century AD was discovered in 2015 by GUARD Archaeology during excavation works ahead of the construction of the new Ayr Academy in South Ayrshire. Archaeologists uncovered 26 large, double-row fire pits and stone-lined ovens used for baking bread by Roman soldiers. The radiocarbon dates from these fire pits overlapped between the years AD 77-86 and AD 90, which accords with Roman governor and general Agricola's campaign from AD 79 until AD 83 and the subsequent Roman consolidation. The layout and distance between the rows suggest space for roughly 640 legionaries or auxiliaries.

📸 GUARD Archaeology Ltd

15/08/2026

THE NEED: Scotland's Heritage Hub

More people than ever are seeking connection: to place, to identity, and to the deeper stories that shape who we are.

At the same time, the heritage sector is shifting rapidly, shaped by changing public expectations, financial pressures, and the call for greater inclusivity and innovation.

By establishing Scotland's first national heritage hub, the Society can play a role in addressing that public need, while building resilience across the heritage sector for generations to come.

As a gateway to the past, the hub will become a base for national endeavours, a connector and catalyst for the sector, a centre of innovation, a hub for learning and debate, a portal for public discovery and more: https://www.socantscot.org/support/scotlands-heritage-hub/

15/07/2026

Our latest publication, published in Archaeology Reports Online, follows archaeological excavations we carried out at Croftside Farm near Stirling, which revealed a well-constructed road that led to . Either side of this, post-medieval rig and furrow was evident as were pits indicating transient Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and post-medieval activity in the landscape. https://archaeologyreportsonline.com/index.html

02/07/2026

Ever wondered how artefacts got to a museum? Our blogs chart the progress of a variety of different excavations, for develop-led projects like Dunragit and Carnoustie, and community projects like the Galloway Picts Project and Dark Age Digs. From the very beginning of a dig, when we had no clue as to what we'd find, all the way to the museum. Like the hoard of Bronze Age weaponry that we discovered at Carnoustie and which is now on display at the National Museum of Scotland in their newly opened Scotland's First Warriors exhibition. Which we are absolutely thrilled about! Check out our blogs to find out how these artefacts got there https://www.guard-archaeology.co.uk/blogs.html

29/06/2026

For an interesting discussion about food and agriculture in prehistoric and medieval Scotland (focussed on the evidence we unearthed at Guardbridge in Fife), check out the latest British Food History Podcast

Podcast Episode · The British Food History Podcast · 27 June · 39min

23/06/2026

We are happy to announce the shortlist of May's GUARD Staff ‘photo of the month’ competition (the theme was May Day; check them out)

‘GUARD Staff photographs of May 2026’

16/06/2026

New draft chapters for the project are now available! You can explore the Iron Age and Roman Campaigns drafts at bit.ly/4osL2SW

Remember, registered ScARF users can comment directly on the webpages to offer feedback, add new references and suggest key sites.

If you're interested in the Iron Age and Roman periods, please join us at the upcoming SWSARF Workshops in Ayr and Dumfries: bit.ly/4evR3tF

📷 Roman brooch found at Curragh, South Ayrshire © GUARD Archaeology

29/05/2026

Police are appealing for information regarding a Vandalism and Wilful fire-raising at "the Stone Circle" just north of Monymusk, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, on Friday 15 May 2026 between 6.45pm and 7.10pm whereby yellow and white paint was sprayed onto the historic granite standing stones and two trees also set alight.

Police are keen to identify a group of youths seen in the village with a number of long yellow spray cannister just prior to incident.

A short time later a large stack of firewood was also set alight near to the Bothy Walk area of Monymusk.

Both fires were quickly extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with no damage to any other property.

Enquiry Officer, Constable Wayne Young from Alford Community Policing Team said “This type of behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated and Police are looking for anyone who witnessed, heard or who can identify any of the suspects to come forward”.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous, quoting incident 1736 of 16/05.

29/05/2026

During our ongoing post-excavation analyses of finds from our excavations in advance of the Edinburgh Trams Extension examined a sherd of a ceramic olive jar which revealed traces of trade routes to post-medieval Leith https://www.guard-archaeology.co.uk/index.html