About the Project
The Roman period is one of the most attractive moments in history for the general public, as manifested in the proliferation of books, TV series, and films on the topic. In Scotland, the legacy of Rome is materialised in hundreds of military installations and a wealth of material culture, most notably in the Antonine Wall, one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Royal Society of Edinburgh funded project “Narratives of Roman Scotland in the Digital Age” explores current research and practices on the Roman presence in the North and its contemporary meanings. It consists of four events on the interpretation and dissemination of Scotland’s Roman past: an online colloquium between the applicants and representatives of community-led organisations; a series of workshops running over two days and bringing together academics and practitioners; a public launch event disseminating new digital resources; and a series of public talks.
The project aims to achieve several outcomes:
- Discuss and advance ongoing research on Iron Age and Roman interactions and their contemporary legacies.
- Explore how digital technologies can enhance knowledge exchange and public awareness.
- Discuss how Scotland’s Roman heritage can contribute to wellbeing and sustainable community development.
The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of engaging imaginatively with new ways of communicating and interacting, and our project will specifically focus on the potential of digital solutions. All presentations will be livestreamed and recorded in order to create a freely accessible digital archive.