Cemetery Sculpture and Monuments

This fully illustrated, downloadable pdf comprises the main (2016) text of Future Thinking on Carved Stones in Scotland: A Research Framework. Significantly, it enables a linear read of the online wiki version, produced as part of the Scottish Archaeology Research Framework (http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/content/future-thinking-carved-stones-scotland), and captures the original text prior to any future modifications. We anticipate that academics and heritage managers, in particular, will appreciate being able to read or dip into the text in this way, as well as individuals and community groups interested in carved stones of all period. The lead authors were Sally Foster (PI), Katherine Forsyth (CI), Susan Buckham and Stuart Jeffrey. A fantastic range of case studies contributed by many others accompany the website: http://www.carvedstones.scot/uploads/4/4/0/3/44032535/cs_scarf_case_studies.pdfhttp://www.carvedstones.scot/uploads/4/4/0/3/44032535/cs_scarf_case_studies.pdf

A popular introduction to the Framework and its innovative approach can be found in a downloadable booklet, entitled Listen to the Stones: http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/ftcss_listen. See also the Listen to the Stones poster that is loaded separately onto academia.edu.

There is much in this document and its approach that we believe will be of wider interest and application to heritage management practices, whether led by communities or heritage professionals.

A part of the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework, published on-line, August 2016 at http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Aim: Our appreciation of the past relies heavily on the survival of stone monuments, buildings
and landscape features. They shape our sense of place and identity. If carved, this adds further
dimensions and depth to that appreciation and can tell us much more about past peoples, their
identities, beliefs, tastes, technologies and lives. And we are fortunate—carved stone
monuments are all around us: prehistoric rock art, Roman, early medieval, later medieval and
architectural sculpture, gravestones, and public monuments. This Framework aims to link,
inspire, mobilize and direct the efforts of anyone with an interest in carved stone monuments in
Scotland. It is driven by a desire for a more strategic approach to the opportunities and
challenges carved stone monuments present. Despite including some of Scotland’s most iconic
monuments and most significant contributions to European art and culture, the significance of
this resource is often not fully recognized, nor is the seriousness of the threats to it.
Background: The Framework is part of the Scottish Archaeology Research Framework (ScARF)
and its production was led by Dr Sally Foster (University of Stirling) and Dr Katherine Forsyth
(University of Glasgow), with co-authors Dr Susan Buckham (University of Stirling) and Dr Stuart
Jeffrey (Glasgow School of Art). Funding came from the RSE and from HES via the NCCSS. A key
source for the Framework were three workshops, each summarized here, which took stock of
existing and ongoing research activities to identify priorities for future research, with a
particular focus on digital recording technology and carved stones associated with churches. In
addition, many contributors have subsequently supplied invaluable ideas, advice and text,
including case studies of their own work.
Structure: After an Introduction, the Current State of Knowledge is critically assessed for the
categories of carved stones listed above, and also for heritage and conservation in relation to
carved stone monuments. Thereafter the Framework is structured around heritage practices
and strategies published by the government: Creating Knowledge and Understanding,
Understanding Value, Securing for the Future, and Engaging and Experiencing. An extensive
Bibliography of published work and resources is provided. Carved stones are in many ways a
touchstone for wider attitudes to the historic environment and to heritage practices because
they cross so many boundaries and therefore expose so many issues. They invite, indeed
demand, interdisciplinary and cross-cutting approaches. The Framework’s structure is designed
to draw out a holistic understanding of the value and significance of Scotland’s carved stone
heritage in the 21st century, and reflect on what this knowledge then offers us. This emphasis
on value provides the best hope of making a difference. To this end the Framework identifies
research principles, problems, practices, and ideas for projects, some enhancing existing
initiatives and others suggesting new directions. Materiality, cultural biography and landscape
recur as particularly helpful lenses for exploring carved stones and their context.
The Future: With its wiki-format, users can continue to breathe life into this Framework so that
it continues to reflect current practice and research priorities as they inevitably develop over
time. This is just the beginning of a process of broadening engagement. Ongoing communication
and capacity building is crucial. There is much existing data, research, knowledge, experience
and enthusiasm across the many existing communities of interest that can be readily brought
together and utilized. But new directions and more significant investments of effort in particular
areas are also needed.