From shortlist to winners’ podium at the British Archaeology Awards

Back in November, the team behind the innovative Uist Unearthed project set off to Edinburgh for the Council for British Archaeology’s 2022 Archaeological Achievement Awards.

The trip proved very worthwhile when the team not only returned home with awards for both of their shortlisted entries, but bagged a third prize to add to the haul.

The Uist Unearthed team is now in proud possession of the Awards for Archaeological Innovation, Public Dissemination and Presentation, and the overall Outstanding Archaeological Achievement prize.

The judges commendations summed up the project by saying: “The Uist Virtual Archaeology Project is an outstanding illustration of innovation, interpretation and engagement. It has brought difficult to reach archaeology into the open using interactive media and storytelling via a new app….quite simply, the project has a ‘wow’ factor worthy of being judged the winners of the 2022 Outstanding Archaeological Achievement award.”

Uist Unearthed Project Manager Becky Rennell said: “The UVAP team are absolutely delighted that this project has been recognised in the Archaeological Achievement Awards. With this project we set out to show that innovative uses of augmented reality can enhance our presentation of otherwise hidden archaeological sites and engage wider audiences in Uist’s heritage. The Uist Unearthed app and mixed-media exhibition have been extremely popular and receiving these awards is further recognition of the success of this concept and approach.”

Project Coordinator Emily Gal added: “These awards are testament to the hard work of many people and we’re so happy with the response to this fantastic news from our community.”

This will be a busy year for Uist Unearthed, with two new sites being added to the app –  Dùn Torcuill and Dùn an Sticir, two islet sites in North Uist.  The Uist Unearthed multimedia exhibition will be at Taigh Chearsabhagh from March to May, featuring some previously unseen material from North Uist sites.

Pictured are Dr Emily Gal (Project Coordinator), Becky Rennell (Project Manager), Morag Jardine (Engagement Officer) all UHI Outer Hebrides, and Jessica Wright (Design team lead, PEEL Interactive).

The Uist Virtual Archaeology Project is delivered by UHI Outer Hebrides, in collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund administered by NatureScot, The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES), Stòras Uibhist, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.