Conservation Beyond Consolidation for Prehistoric Monuments: Finding Narratives from Archaeology to Architecture for Scottish Brochs

Abstract

The sophisticated drystone Iron-Age brochs of Northern Scotland, called Complex Atlantic Roundhouses by archaeologists, have shown a relatively high technological culture. Their architectural conservation should strike a balance in presenting their key features (structure, materials, building use and architectural elements) in a concept of wholeness that integrates its major phases rather than design unity of a hypothetical original form. However, currently there is uncertainty due to the lack of agreement for a standard broch scheme and the need for more archaeological research. As most brochs in Scotland are fragile ruins and only a few of them have been scientifically explored, they have been conserved through basic consolidation for safety reasons in very localized methods, primarily by archaeologists. All of them are open to the public but only a few are developed as tourist sites. In both situations, none has shown the complete features of anything close to a standard typology as a narrative of their origin and a few have interpreted correctly the changes after Iron Age as narratives for modification. Significant conservation was conducted often before full archaeological excavations and did not lead to a satisfying architectural experience, so people still have a inconclusive image of brochs after a visit. This paper studies the brochs through their collective concept as a building typology rather than separate images of different sites. Conservation for brochs in Scotland could argue for modern holistic projects that go beyond consolidation, exporting narratives from archaeology to architecture.

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References

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