In search of lost medieval royal tombs

About this event

The history of Scotland’s royal burial site and what new technology is telling us about its past.

Join us at Dunfermline Abbey for a curious look at the history of the Scottish royal mausoleum and the many royal burials connected to the lost medieval Benedictine Abbey. Although much of the original abbey was replaced by a Protestant church in the early 1800s, new technology is helping us uncover more of its story.

Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), experts are revealing clues hidden beneath the Abbey and helping historians better understand the site’s complex past.

The event will include:
• A short introductory talk about the history of the site, delivered inside the abbey.
• A live demonstration of ground-penetrating radar equipment and how it is used.
• An interactive session where attendees can examine real radar scan images and explore what they might reveal about the church interior.
• A closing Q&A, followed by an opportunity to explore the site at your own pace and chat informally with the speakers.

Note for attendees: The abbey can get quite cold inside, so we recommend bringing suitable clothing to stay comfortable during the event. Pew seating is available for anyone who would like to take a break or sit down during the event.

This event is at Dunfermline Abbey, not at the festival hub at the RSE. Please note you will need to make your own way to the abbey.

Tickets go live on Thursday 23 July at 11am.

Event type

Curious Workshop

Contributors

Michael Penman

Professor of History, University of Stirling

Michael Penman is a graduate of St Andrews (PhD), and researcher of medieval Scottish politics, religion and culture at the University of Stirling, author of books about both Bruce monarchs, Robert I 1306-29 (2014) and David II, 1329-71 (2004), as well as editor of several volumes on medieval themes such as Anglo-Scottish Relations, Tomb Monuments, and the Battle of Bannockburn. His current projects have a focus on Dunfermline, one of the kingdom’s ancient capitals and its newest city, leading on a radar survey of medieval church remains beneath the modern Church of Scotland building (2016-), and exploring Sir Patrick Geddes’ famous 1904 plan for west Fife’s regional development.

Erica Carrick Utsi

GPR Consultant, EMC Radar Consulting (Ely)

Erica Carrick Utsi is a graduate (MSc Science) of the University of St Andrews and a leading GPR consultant, publishing researcher and teacher with over 40 years’ global experience in the profession. She has pioneered GPR’s application in heritage contexts, not least in the survey of major churches such as Westminster Abbey. She is the author of Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Practice (2017) as well as co-author of the project report for the Dunfermline Abbey GPR project.

Alex Birtwisle

GPR Consultant, Atlas Geophysics (Powys)

Alex Birtwisle is a graduate (MSc Science) of the University of St Andrews and a leading GPR consultant, publishing researcher and teacher with over 40 years’ global experience in the profession. She has pioneered GPR’s application in heritage contexts, not least in the survey of major churches such as Westminster Abbey. She is the author of Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Practice (2017) as well as co-author of the project report for the Dunfermline Abbey GPR project.

Contact us

If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.

Event testimonial

I think the RSE audience was noticeably different to the ‘typical’ audience I experience at public engagement events and definitely seems broader. I would consider working with RSE in future as a means to connect to an informed but very diverse audience.

Curious contributor
The event was inclusive, friendly, open and not too high brow. The speakers were very down to earth and open with their answers.

Curious attendee

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In search of lost medieval royal tombs

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