Departments
Scottish History & Archaeology
Welcome to the Scottish History & Archaeology department.
We care for one of the most representative national collections of archaeological and historical artefacts anywhere in the world.
Nearly 250 years of systematic collecting has built a material record of the place we now call Scotland, placed within its wider European and global contexts.
Contact list of staff members
Scottish History & Archaeology department
Our collections
The collections have been developed over generations through antiquarian collecting, chance finds, archaeological excavation, targeted purchases, donations of treasured family possessions and dedicated efforts to collect the contemporary.
Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology
Archaeological collections from the first human settlement of Europe during the Palaeolithic up to the end of the Roman period.
Medieval Archaeology and History
Covering the material evidence of a crucial thousand-year period from the fifth to the fifteenth century AD through a range of archaeological finds and assemblages.
What we do
Our team of archaeologists and material historians research, share knowledge and continue to build the Scottish collections.
Scottish History & Archaeology stories
- Discover
A mysterious Iron Age figure from Ballachulish
Fertility figure or Iron Age goddess of the straits? This carved sculpture of a female dates from around 600 BC, but its origins remain unknown. - Discover
Scots words and superstitions in household objects
Many of our objects speak to the rich heritage of the Scots language. Perhaps you came to see our ‘flauchters’ or were ‘conflummixt’ by our collection of ‘creepies’ or ‘crusies’. Many of these object names have a charming origin and… - Discover
A 19th century guide to constellations
How well do you know your stars? Learn how to identify constellations like an aspiring astronomer in the 1800s with help from Urania’s Mirror.
