Fact Files

Cropmarks
Although crop marks were first noticed as far back as the 18th century, it has only been possible to record them systematically since the introduction of flying and the availability of faster cameras. The features may be thrown into relief by a light dusting of snow, or be highlighted in a dry summer where the growth of grass or crops is affected by the presence of buried remains. Aerial survey provides a means of rapidly mapping extensive elements of past landscapes, such as field systems, provided that the modern land use is suitable for the production of the necessary contrasts.
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Priory Island
King Alexander I granted the island to the monks of Scone Abbey in a charter signed at Stirling in memory of his Queen Sybilla, who died there on 12th June, 1122:

'Alexander, by the Grace of God, King of the Scots, to the Bishops and Earls, and to all faithful of the whole of Scotland, health. I make it known to you that, for the honour of God and St Mary, and all the saints, I have given for myself, and for the soul of Queen Sybilla, the Island of Loch Tay, in perpetual possession, with all with all the rights pertaining to the same island, to Holy Trinity of Scoon, and to the Brotherhood serving God there by Monastic Rule, so that a church of God be built there for me, and for the soul of the Queen there deceased, and that this I grant to them for the present, until I shall have given them some other augmentation, so that the place may be renowned for its service to God. Herbert, Chancellor, witness at Stirling.'

Remote sensing
The practice of using sonar and other equipment to detect archaeological remains without disturbing the ground, seabed, or lake bottom. Its purpose is similar to that of thee geophysics equipment used by land archaeologists.
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Swiss Lake Dwellings
The remains of Neolithic and Bronze Age lake villages were discovered in Lake Zurich in the 1850’s when water levels dropped, exposing wooden posts and artefacts that had previously been submerged. Similar discoveries were made in Lake Constance, Lake Neuchatel and others. Early theories proposed by Dr Ferdinand Keller suggested that the villages were built on stilts out in the open water. Excavations throughout the 1900’s however indicated that the villages had been built on the lake shores, only slightly raised from ground level to accommodate periodic seasonal flooding.
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Scottish Crannog Centre
The focal point in the centre is Oakbank Crannog, an early Iron Age site in Loch Tay first discovered by Dr Nicholas Dixon in 1979. Dr Dixon’s pioneering excavations there began in 1980 and led to the first authentic reconstruction of a timber piled crannog in the UK and to the development of the Scottish Crannog Centre.

The Centre comprises three elements: an exhibition of work in progress, interpretative boards, and a range of artefacts and timbers recovered from underwater excavations; guided tours inside the reconstructed crannog; outside, visitors can try their hand at several ancient crafts and technologies and participate in a range of special events. Any profits generated by the Centre are covenanted direct to the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology to further research and training.
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Published: 28-01-2005