Archaeological Achievement Awards 2022 Shortlist

We are excited to announce the shortlists for the Archaeological Achievement Awards 2022.
Congratulations to those who have been shortlisted, and thank you to everyone who applied: we received a variety of high-quality entries and shortlisting was a true challenge.
Winners from all five categories will be in with the chance of winning our Outstanding Achievement Award.
Early Career Archaeologist
Fernanda Acosta Ballesteros

Fernanda joined Archaeology Scotland as a trainee on the Next Steps Initiative where she built on her experience studying and working in organisations in the arts and heritage sectors.
Fernanda used the placement to develop her communications and engagement skills and is now Archaeology Scotland’s Marketing and Communications Officer.
Jennifer McCarthy

A field archaeologist working in the commercial archaeology sector based in Cork, Ireland. Jennifer is a two-time archaeology graduate of University College Cork.
Her interests lie in Middle to Late Bronze Age settlement and ritual activity.
Matthew Mark Bamborough

Matthew Bamborough has degrees in archaeology at both Durham University and the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford, the latter as a scholar of Merton College.
He has substantial post-university research experience in both the commercial and academic sectors, and at present is Research Assistant to the Ravensburgh Castle Hillfort Project.
Megan Schlanker

Megan has a BA in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Birmingham (2019) and an MsC in Bioarchaeology from the University of York (2020).
She currently works as an archaeologist for MOLA and volunteers for a number of initiatives, including holding the role of Chair of the CIfA Early Careers SIG.
Tabitha Gulliver Lawrence

Tabitha has volunteered for the Young Archaeologists’ Club first in Dorset (Poole) and now in Colchester, where she works as a site assistant for Colchester Archaeological Trust. Since working as a volunteer for Colchester Young Archaeologists’ Group, Tabitha has been a tremendous asset since she partook and was a major player in the special project we produced “Caught in a Tudor Web”. Tabitha particularly engaged some of our youngest and newest members in the project.
Victoria Sands

Victoria is a Senior Post Excavation Assistant at Colchester Archaeological Trust.
In the year she has worked at CAT she has innovated and contributed in large ways to both community engagement and archiving.

Archaeological Innovation Award
Automated site discovery using deep learning

A project by ArchAI Ltd
Deep learning for archaeological site detection has the potential to detect all visible sites across the world using earth observation data. ArchAI has pioneered the introduction of this technology in archaeology and has already detected hundreds of previously unknown sites through projects with HES, Forestry Commission and National Trust.
Crafting the Past: Shared Histories
A Project by The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Dig It! project, Immersive Minds and Jonslundsskola

Crafting the Past: Shared Histories saw Swedish students digitally excavate and research artefacts, meet Scottish experts online and create Minecraft characters to tell the story of the Norse presence on St Kilda. The project was such a success that it forms a case study for the Swedish Department of Education.
The Seaford Head Project

A project by Archaeology South-East and UCL
The Seaford Head Project is a pilot study for how an archaeological site at threat from coastal erosion could be rapidly recorded ahead of loss. Digital outreach products disseminated the results and discussed related issues. The report provides a template for similar projects and an evidence base for a future funding proposal.
Uist Virtual Archaeology Project (with a focus on the project’s key output, Uist Unearthed)

A project by UHI Outer Hebrides and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
The Uist Virtual Archaeology Project has established innovative and creative digital routes into Uist’s rich archaeological heritage. The main output is the Uist Unearthed app, containing Augmented Reality (AR) reconstructions of archaeological sites along the Hebridean Way. This is complemented by an interactive multimedia exhibition.

Engagement and Participation Award
Crafting the Past: Shared Histories
A Project by The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Dig It! project, Immersive Minds and Jonslundsskola

Crafting the Past: Shared Histories saw Swedish students digitally excavate and research artefacts, meet Scottish experts online and create Minecraft characters to tell the story of the Norse presence on St Kilda. The project was such a success that it forms a case study for the Swedish Department of Education.
Y Heritage Make a Splash!
A project by MSDS Marine

The Y Heritage Make a Splash! project focused on working with a group of eight young people to engage in heritage and share their experiences with a larger audience.The projectworked withyoung people in crisis to give them the opportunity to participate in a maritime archaeology projectin landlocked Leicestershire, a setting not normally associated with maritime archaeology.
Lost Inverlael: A' Lorg Baile Bhlàir

A project by Ullapool Museum Trust.
Lost Inverlael is a community archaeology project uncovering the cleared Highland townships of Inverlael and Balblair. Volunteers of all ages collaborated through dynamic archaeology, digital learning, photography, film and music to bring this lost community to life, illuminating the forgotten history ofthisplace and its people.
Bristol’s Brilliant Archaeology Programme 2021-22

A project by Bristol Museums Archaeology Team.
Bristol's Brilliant Archaeology is an exciting year long programme of archaeological activities designed to meet the needs of all ages and experience.
Our family-fun days, walks, talks and study sessions were delivered on-site, in-person or online, in collaboration with local societies, community groups and specialists so as to globally connect people with archaeology.
Wessex Hillforts and Habitats

A project by the National Trust.
The Wessex Hillforts and Habitats Project has delivered a step change in how we care for history and nature across Dorset and Wiltshire's hillforts, whilst also inspiring communities and volunteers to connect with and care for heritage and nature.

Learning, Training and Skills Award
Sponsored by AMS Archaeology
OASIS V Rollout Support Workshops

A project by MSDS Marine and Ashtree Heritage
In 2020 MSDS Marine and Ashtree Heritage provided workshops to support the rollout of OASIS V. The project was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic and delivery was taken online. This allowed a far greater audience to access the workshops. The project has been shown to have changed behaviour within the archaeology sector and has led to an increase in reporting through OASIS.
UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture (CEAMC)
Part of UCD School of Archaeology, University College Dublin.

UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture in Dublin is one of the only university-campus facilities in the world dedicated to experimental archaeology and material culture research, teaching and public engagement. CEAMC provides students—from undergraduates to professional archaeologists—with an educational experience built around our teaching philosophy of “Making, Understanding, Storytelling
Wessex Hillforts and Habitats

A project by the National Trust.
The Wessex Hillforts and Habitats Project has delivered a step change in how we care for history and nature across Dorset and Wiltshire's hillforts, whilst also inspiring communities and volunteers to connect with and care for heritage and nature.

Public Dissemination or Presentation Award
Sponsored by Past Preservers.
Cissbury Goes Digital

A partnership between National Trust, Worthing Museum and South Downs National Park Authority to create a series of videos accessed via QR & NFC at key points across the Cissbury landscape, to take people on a journey through the site’s rich history and reconnect them with physical artefacts held in Worthing Museum.
The World of Stonehenge

'The World of Stonehenge' exhibition at the British Museum showcased new archaeological discoveries to tell the story of long-distance travel, technological and artistic innovation, and cultural change. It was a popular and critical hit, garnering many five-star reviews. The Guardian called it a ‘fiercely emotional’ ‘knockout epic’.
Scotland Digs 2022
A project by The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Dig It! .

Scotland Digs 2022 celebrated Scotland’s summer dig season by sharing fieldwork opportunities for the public and updates from 20+ events. The campaign consisted of an online hub, social media content, a webinar for fieldwork organisers, bespoke artwork and a Climate Action Archaeology theme to draw attention to the climate emergency.
Uist Virtual Archaeology Project (with a focus on the project’s key output, Uist Unearthed)

A project by UHI Outer Hebrides and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
The Uist Virtual Archaeology Project has established innovative and creative digital routes into Uist’s rich archaeological heritage. The main output is the Uist Unearthed app, containing Augmented Reality (AR) reconstructions of archaeological sites along the Hebridean Way. This is complemented by an interactive multimedia exhibition.
Transforming The Roman Town House for wider audiences to enjoy
A project by Dorset Council.

The Roman Town House is the only Roman period town house that is completely on display in Britain. The project transformed the site making it accessible, restored the heritage and added new area with amphitheatre seating that enabled events to take place - bringing new audiences from far and wide.
