ScARF: Knitting together the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2016-09-12

In 2012, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland launched the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) project, to encompass the entirety of Scotland’s history. The Society is a small, independent charitable organisation and yet tasked itself with the creation and stewardship of a resource of international importance. ScARF provides up to date research knowledge and priorities that can be used by all archaeologists; commercial, academic and individual. As a not-for-profit project, but one that contains information derived from commercial work, ScARF is well placed to showcase the results of a range of archaeological activity to a wide audience. This paper will reflect on the effort involved in bringing various organisations and individuals together and in trying to give varying ideas a cohesive story. It will also discuss the significant potential of such a resource and how this strength can best be harnessed for the future.

Emma-Jane O’Riordan, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland