Training session in Dumfries and Galloway (October 2017)

Training

 

Before you start recording rock art, you need to feel confident about what you are doing, and have all the necessary practical and technical tools. Practice makes perfect, so the more you use your new skills in the field, the more your confidence will grow!

 

We are running one and two-day training sessions across Scotland to show you how to use our rock art recording methods. We strongly recommend that anyone interested in working with us as part of a Community Team or as an individual comes to one of these sessions.

 

Training will be partly indoors, and partly outside at a suitable local rock art site. It will cover all the skills you need to create a detailed, accurate rock art record, and to share this information with others, including:

 

We will also run additional training sessions on:

  • Creating a 3D model from the field data (photogrammetry processing)

  • How to upload your field records to the Scotland's Rock Art Project (ScRAP) database

 

"Can anyone come to the training?"

The training is open to everyone, regardless of previous experience or skills. If you attend a training course, this does not commit you to being part of the project but, as spaces will be limited, we would prefer to keep these for people who are keen to be involved in our fieldwork programme.

 

"What do I need to bring?"

For recording training you will need:

  • Camera, pencil, pen, notebook.

  • Smart phone or tablet (if you have one)

  • GPS (if you have one)

  • Lunch, drinks, and snacks (we provide tea and coffee)

  • Appropriate clothing and footwear for fieldwork

We will provide the rest of the equipment!

 

For 3D modelling processing training you will need:

  • Camera, and camera download cable

  • Laptop if you have one

  • Pen/pencil, notebook

  • Lunch, drinks, and snacks

  • To create 3D models we will be using specific software (Agisoft PhotoScan), and you will need to install a free 30 day trial version of this on your laptop before the training session. You can request the free version from Agisoft by emailing them at sales@agisoft.com .They will then send you a link to the software to download. We recommend that you request the software about 3 days in advance of the training.  As the software will only work for 30 days, it would be best not to download it too long before the training session!

  • It would also be helpful (but not essential) if you could install free software called Meshlab, which can be downloaded from their website. This can be used to manipulate and visualise your 3D models.

 

"I would like to be involved in the project but I am not able to come to the training"

If you want to be involved but are unable to come to one of our training sessions, you can learn the methods from other people in your group that have been to the training. If you are not already part of a trained group, you could contact one of our Community Teams, or visit our Getting Involved pages for further information about how you could take part. You can also find all the information you need to record rock art on this website.

 

"Is there a charge for the training?"

The training itself is free, but we are not able to reimburse your travel or subsistence expenses.

 

"How do I sign up for training?"

Find a training course 

Contact us to sign up

 

 

Training in Faifley (November 2017)

Training in Faifley (November 2017)

 

Training in Dumfries and Galloway (October 2017)

Training in Dumfries and Galloway (October 2017)
 

Training in Faifley (November 2017)

Training in Faifley (November 2017)

 

Training in Strachur (October 2017)

Training in Strachur (October 2017)
 

Training in Strachur (January 2018)

Training in Strachur (January 2018)

 

Training in the Binn, Burntisland (August 2017)

Training in the Binn, Burntisland (August 2017)

 

Training in Kilmartin (August 2017)

Training in Kilmartin (August 2017)
 

Record

The Scotland's Rock Art Project trained and worked with Community Teams to build a consistent, publicly accessible database of prehistoric carvings using specific recording methods.

 

Recording Rock Art

Creating detailed, digital records of Scotland's rock art is essential for better understanding, sustainability, and public awareness. You can find out about our recording methods in this section!

Finding Rock Art

Finding rock art is very rewarding, but often quite difficult! In this section we offer a few tips that may help you find those 'hidden' panels. 

 

Getting Started

Before going out and looking for rock art, there are some important things that you should be aware of. You will also need to know what equipment to use. You can find out all about it here! 

Fieldwork Preparation

Follow these simple steps to prepare for a fantastic day out doing fieldwork and recording rock art. Don't forget your wellingtons and waterproofs! 

 

Doing Fieldwork

Like any other type of archaeological fieldwork, rock art recording uses specific methods and techniques. Learn how to record rock art, and find out what types of information you should be documenting. 

After Fieldwork

Fieldwork is only one part of the method for recording rock art. In this section you can read about how to process information captured in the field, and how to build 3D models of the carved rocks. 

Data Entry

Once you have processed all the information collected in the field, your photographs, and your 3D models, you can upload it to Canmore. Find out how in this section.