This SPSI page is retained for historical interest, although SPSI is no longer supported. SPAD represents a significant enhancement, with the advantage of immediate access to the data, without the need for special software. The Departments of Geography and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh are jointly involved in the development of a comprehensive database of sites in Scotland that are considered to be of palaeoecological interest. This project is being funded by, and carried out in collaboration with, Historic Scotland .
Palaeoecology is the study of fossil organisms in order to reconstruct past environments.
These organisms can include insects, grasses, pollen, mammals etc. By gaining an understanding of how the environment has changed over time we may gain a better explanation for the environment of today. Some of the best areas for obtaining fossilised remains are in areas of peatland. Samples of the peat can be obtained by a coring process. Special formations of peatland known as Raised Mires offer the best of the best for such fossils.