In early 2004, Derek, David, Adrian and Catherine combined forces to present another series of evening class lectures on the archaeology of Perthshire, in conjunction with Dundee University. In September, Glasgow University invited Catherine to speak to a group of pre-sessional students, new to Scotland, on animal bones in medieval archaeology, as part of a course on Scottish History and Environment.

David Bowler, in his new-found role as local author, gave a talk on Perth’s archaeology and topography during Perth & Kinross Libraries ‘Word’s Out’ Festival in September. After his successful presentation last year, the Abertay Historical Society invited Derek back to talk on the subject of the archaeology of Scotland’s Friaries. Other venues at which SUAT’s speakers were welcomed were Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society, Breadalbane Heritage Society, Badenoch and Strathspey Local History Group and the Highland Archaeology Week Seminar (Adrian) and this year’s TAFAC conference (David and Derek).

At the end of the year, David Bowler gave a talk in the Dundee Conservation Lectures series, on Greyfriars burial ground in Perth. SUAT played a major role in this award-winning conservation project, which will be of wider interest to professionals planning similar projects elsewhere.

Derek Hall recently gave a paper at an evening seminar at Glasgow University on ‘25 years of archaeology in Medieval Perth’. This was well attended despite clashing with a First Millenium Studies group lecture, and useful discussions followed.

Derek Hall was recently invited to give a seminar on ‘Urban archaeology in Scotland’ at the first ‘brown bag’ lunch seminar that was organized by the Institute. Prior to this he had very useful discussions with Dr Donald Davidson and one of his research students regarding a NERC funded project on urban soils. Derek has offered both his services and those of other colleagues at SUAT on a consultancy basis to aid with this project.

Derek Hall gave a paper called ‘The Scottish Medieval Pottery Industry - a jigsaw with some pieces missing?’ to the recent East Lothian conference which was held in Edinburgh. This was very well received and he was approached firstly by a gentleman whose grandfather used to run some tileworks in East Lothian and secondly by a geologist who has suggested that it might be possible to identify pottery production centres using satellite imagery.

In September of this year Derek Hall attended this year’s European Archaeological Association conference in Lyons, France, sponsored as last year by Historic Scotland, the Russell Trust and SUAT. He was one of the co-organisers of a round table discussion on the creation of a database of European pottery production centres. It is intended to seek European funding for the creation of this resource. The round table was attended by delegates from France, Ireland, Hungary, Finland, Italy, Germany, England and Scotland and discussions are now underway regarding funding and forming a connection with an academic establishment. The working party intend holding another round table at next year’s EAA meeting in Cork.

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