Archaeologists to Explore the Hidden History of Calton Hill
This year, archaeologists will begin surveys of Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill to investigate its ancient history and earlier uses.
Conservationists collaborating with an Edinburgh-based archaeology firm note that, despite the hill’s long-standing significance, surprisingly little is known about its use prior to the construction of its famous monuments.
The research will employ drones and remote-sensing technology to examine the land surface, with 3D models generated from overlapping photographs (drone photogrammetry) to aid analysis. These models will be incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) and compared with historical records to reveal the hill’s past.
The project, led by the Calton Hill Conservation Trust in partnership with Headland Archaeology in Leith, is non-invasive, meaning there will be no excavation. Instead, it will focus on research, community engagement, and surveying techniques to identify indications of ancient human activity.
Headland Archaeology emphasised the project’s educational and participatory approach: “By involving local residents and community members through workshops and events, we aim to raise awareness and interest in the archaeological potential of Calton Hill.”
Workshops will provide opportunities for the public to explore what is already known about the hill, understand the technologies being used, and learn what remains to be uncovered. Participants will also take guided walks, experiencing the historic landscape firsthand while discovering the hidden stories of the hill.
Calton Hill’s prominence suggests it has long been a focal point of human activity, yet little is documented about its history before the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the Calton Hill Observatory and Napoleonic War monuments were built. This project seeks to fill those gaps, combining cutting-edge technology with public engagement to uncover the hill’s rich archaeological heritage.
