‘Here’s to the next decade of discovery’ – marking 10 years of the UHI Archaeology Institute

The UHI Archaeology Institute marked a major milestone recently with a 10th anniversary celebration at the UHI Orkney campus in Kirkwall.

From the original, very modest, beginnings of the archaeology department at Orkney College in 1999, and the development of archaeology courses and the consultancy unit ORCA, achieving Institute status was supported by the UHI, Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Robertson Trust. It was formally launched in November 2015 and, 10 years on, its strong connections to the local community were evident when around 150 people turned out for the anniversary event.

With exhibitions, demonstrations, talks and activities, the drop-in event on Friday 14 November, reflected on the institute’s development into a centre of discovery, education and excellence and to showcase its research and work within the commercial archaeology section.

In addition, it saw the official launch of 'Animating the Dead: An Archaeology of Bronze Age Burial Practices in Orkney' – the new book by Professors Jane Downes and Colin Richards.

Giving the opening address was Councillor Graham Bevan, convener of Orkney Islands Council, who paid tribute to the Professor Downes, the institute’s director, describing her as “someone who has made it her entire life’s work to make this work.”

He said:

“The institute has brought together research, consultancy, teaching and community archaeology. The success has been extraordinary. The institute has secured major research funding, and its work has earned national and international recognition.

“Behind the whole organisation, and the dedicated vision it has, are the people. Dedicated staff who have spent a lifetime’s work attracting the most amazing number of volunteers and people who want to make the archaeology happen and who have a fantastic interest.

“Of course, this attracts the students and that is a success story on its own. The many students who have come through here is what has made this place so vibrant in its contribution to Orkney. They come, they study, they work and many of them stay.

“To celebrate the 10th anniversary, let’s take pride in what has been achieved and look forward to the next decade of discovery.”

Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UHI, said:

“10 years ago the institute was founded with a bold vision – to advance our understanding of the historic environment through world-class teaching, research and community engagement. Today, it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, scholarship and that sense of place come together.

“From the Ness of Brodgar to Easter Island, the institute’s reach has been truly global but at its heart it remains in Orkney and rooted in the Highlands and Islands, where its work has not only deepened our knowledge of the past but also continues to enrich the present.”

Thank you to everyone who turned out and all those who helped make it such a memorable occasion.