WORK has continued apace over a week of surveying and capturing shots for a 3D animated video of archaeological sites at the Stronafian Community Forest in Glendaruel.
Project organiser Debbie Kirby said: “The thorough mapping and photography work done by acclaimed archaeologist Marcus Abbott at the Auchategan ancient village and Lephinkil chambered cairn will go into the creation of an interpretation film that will be unveiled at the end of 2026.”
Marcus added: “We collected a vast amount of digital data during the survey. The results are detailed 3D models of the archaeology. With every visible stone and change in the ground level recorded, we can now set about researching the sites and working up these models into our interpretation phase.
“There are already some interesting and exciting features showing up in the survey, all of which will be presented in the production of a short film to be completed at the end of the year.”
Debbie continued: “Marcus welcomed visitors to the sites to see his methods and learn more about the construction of the sites.
“Those taking part included seniors from Dunoon Grammar School and an amateur archaeologist who was involved in the original dig in the 1960’s excavation of Auchategan.”
Auchategan, a multi-phase settlement was excavated in the late 1960’s by a team led by Dorothy Marshall. They uncovered hut circles, a stone house, an Iron Age bloomery (the earliest type of primitive furnace used to extract workable iron from iron ore).
They also uncovered a post-hole hut, a Bronze Age cairn and cist burials and two Neolithic occupation layers all sitting on top of each other within a depth of just 1.2 metres.
Debbie Kirby said the group is looking forward to seeing the final video later this year that Marcus is producing.
“His work will help to inform our archaeological activities in Glendaruel going forward.
“We have many archaeological gems here in this glen and Marcus is helping to bring them to life.” she added.
