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In order to make a systematic record of the archaeological sites on Scotland’s
coast, and to gauge the level of threat to them, Historic Scotland has
commissioned a series of Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys. The first of
these surveys was undertaken in 1996, and new surveys have been completed
every year since then.
Teams of archaeologists have worked with
geomorphologists to produce three sets of
maps for each area under study. These maps
are colour-coded in order to display different
information.
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The
information is standardised and follows guidelines set
out in the Historic Scotland publication - ‘Archaeological
Procedure Paper 4 - Coastal Zone Assessment Survey’,
which stipulates how such surveys should be undertaken
and the format of the reports.
The following maps are included in the reports:
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The
map shows the geology and
geomorphology of the area
under investigation. It also
highlights areas of low-lying
land that may be prone to
inundation under extreme
tides; and whether any coastal
defences have been constructed.
This map shows an estimation of the
state of erosion of the area of coast on the day of the
survey. Erosion class is divided into eroding; accreting;
stable; or any combination of the above. Coastal dynamics
mean that an area that is stable one month/year may be
eroding the next - but these maps, combined with the
geological information, at least give an indication of
those areas that are most at risk.
All sites located are noted on the map, whether previously
known about or newly discovered. Information is also recorded about the
condition of the sites, and recommendations given for further work. Since
2001, all new coastal surveys have been managed by SCAPE on behalf of
Historic Scotland. All surveys prior to SCAPE’s involvement were
published as paper copies, but digital versions of the SCAPE managed
surveys have been produced. The early survey reports are available for
consultation at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments
of Scotland (RCAHMS), and should also be available locally at the Sites
and Monuments Record (SMR). Digital versions of the later surveys can
be supplied upon request. To make distribution of all of these valuable
reports easier, SCAPE is currently scanning the early reports and producing
digital copies. Once prepared, these will be made available on the publications
page. About one third of the coast of Scotland has now been investigated
and the surveys have located hundreds of previously unrecorded sites.
In many cases, they have quadrupled the number of sites recorded within
an area.
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