Annette Mckittrick – FSAScot, BA(Hons) Culture, heritage & archaeology. Avid tea-drinker.

Storytelling through research.

Hi! I’m a prehistorian with a deep-rooted fascination for how people have lived, worked and created meaning across time, especially through the lens of subsistence, landscape and culture. For me, research is a form of storytelling: a way to trace the unique threads of human experience woven through the soil, the stone and material culture.

This space explores the intricate relationships between culture, heritage and archaeology. These are disciplines that together illuminate the lives, landscapes and legacies of those who came before us. From the tangible to the intangible, I am drawn to the relationships between people and place, and how these connections shape our understanding of the past and present.

Here’s what you’ll find over the course of this blog-space project:

Source to Deposition

A series that follows the life histories of artefacts and biofacts, from their origins to their final resting places within the archaeological record. Each entry focuses on items of material culture, exploring the human stories that they carry, and the journeys they have witnessed.

Groundbreaking

A reflective look at the evolution of archaeological theory and method. This series considers how shifting ideas and emerging technologies have transformed the way we interpret the world beneath our feet.

Excavate the Books

A literary deep-dive into fiction and non-fiction works which resonate with themes of heritage, identity and the human condition. Expect reflections on authorship, influence and cultural context. I also explore the history and craft of bookbinding, where material culture meets the written word.

Culture Now

This series turns its gaze to the present, and explores how contemporary culture, art, media and lived experience can echo, challenge or reimagine the past. From exhibitions and cultural policy to everyday activities and creative expression, culture now considers how heritage continues to shape, and be shaped by the world we live in. Expect exploration of music, film, art, books, festivals and more! Expect music, film, art, books, festivals and more!

“Through interpretation, understanding;
through understanding, appreciation;
through appreciation, protection”

– Tilden, F (2007) ‘Interpreting our heritage 50th anniversary 4th ed’, The university of North Carolina Press, p.65.

Disclaimer:

Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own and reflect my personal interpretations, research and reflections on heritage, archaeology and cultural storytelling. They do not represent the views of any institutions, organisations, employers or collaborators I may be associated with. This content is offered for educational and inspirational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. As my understanding deepens, and perspectives evolve, I reserve the right to revisit and revise earlier posts.