The Souterrains of Angus: An Enigma within a Mystery

When Frederick Wainwright's influential ’Souterrains of Southern Pictland’ was published in 1963, it made available a considerable body of data derived from his meticulous fieldwork, thereby changing the face of souterrain studies. However, many controversies concerning this unusual but distinct group of Iron Age structures remained unresolved. In this lecture, we shall explore how things have moved on in the last sixty years concerning some of the key questions, such as what was their purpose, and why were they abandoned?

Dr John H Reid, MBE, FRCR, FSAScot is chair of Trimontium Trust and a recently retired NHS Consultant who specialised in diseases of the heart and lungs. He has led on a wide variety of archaeological projects, including the use of radiology in archaeology, facial reconstruction, and, latterly the use of wide area metal prospection for advancing the understanding of ancient conflict. In addition to a large corpus of medical research, he has published multiple articles in the archaeological sphere in peer-reviewed journals and the popular media. He has also led the award-winning multimillion-pound redevelopment of Trimontium Museum in Melrose, the only museum in Scotland to focus on the Roman Iron Age. He has co-directed archaeological fieldwork in northern England and also southern Scotland, notably the Roman siege and assault on Burnswark Hill and the assault on the Roman Fort at Ambleside. His work has been recognised by King Charles III in his first birthday honours list, by an MBE for culture and heritage.

The talk takes place in Lecture Theatre 2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee. Non-members are welcome - donations requested.