Treasured Remains: Tomb Readers, Dalzell

Throwing light on inscriptions with digital photography workshops

Conservation begins by working together to better understand the heritage we have, why it’s important and any threats it may face. Come and join Archaeology Scotland and Kirkyard Consulting for a series of free events and activities to explore the historic graveyards of the Clyde and Avon Valley.

This event will explore the weathered and worn inscriptions on the historic gravestones of Dalzell old graveyard using digital photography techniques. Learn how to use Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to take photos capturing a surface’s shape and colour in 3 dimensions and see the carvings in more detail than has been seen for many years. The workshop will teach you how you can use these techniques yourself and use them for your own enjoyment in the future. Sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing is recommended. Please also bring a packed lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn new photography skills and help to reveal hidden history.

No experience is necessary as training will be given. All ages and abilities are welcome but children below 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are FREE but booking is essential via Phil Richardson, at Archaeology Scotland at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  / 0300 012 9878.

These workshops will run on the 7 and 8 October 2017, 10am - 4pm each day

 To find the graveyard, park in the Baron's Haugh car park (or enter the estate from that direction) and follow the road downhill untill you see the graveyard through a gate on your right. The old graveyard is also marked on the Dalzell Estate and Baron's Haugh leaflet map.

Events in the series are listed here:

Graveyard Detectives – Illustrated talk and family activities to launch the project. Saturday 9 September, New Lanark, 1-4pm

Uncovering Buried Tombstones – probing for and uncovering the buried stones so that the graveyard can be better recorded. Friday 22 and Saturday 23 September, St Patrick’s Churchyard, Dalzell Estate, 10am-4pm

Tomb Readers: Throwing New Light on Worn Inscriptions with Digital Photography – Learn how to use Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to take photos capturing a surface’s shape and colour using lights at different angles, to help uncover inscriptions and designs difficult to see with the naked eye. Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October, St Patrick's Kirkyard, Dalzell Estate, 10am-4pm and Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, St Michael’s Churchyard, Cambusnethan, 10am-4pm

What Lies Beneath? Discovering Graveyard Geophysics – Learn how geophysics is used to identify the hidden heritage that lies below the ground. Sunday 29 October, St Ninian’s Graveyard, Stonehouse, 10am-4pm

Telling Tales: An Introduction to Graveyard Research and Interpretation – Ever wonder where to find more information about a graveyard or how to explain the rich and unique history of a site to the general public? Come along to these workshops and we will take you through the journey from finding out more to presenting that information in an engaging way. Saturday 9 December, St Ninian’s Graveyard, Stonehouse, 10am-4pm and Saturday 13 January, New Lanark Burial Ground, 10am-4pm

Watch the video with Susan Buckham, Kirkyard Consulting, below.

 

Read the Treasured Remains Conservation Strategy for Historic Graveyards in the Clyde and Avon Valley undertaken by Kirkyard Consultants in 2011 below.