What World Heritage Sites can do for you
As part of the RSE investigates… conservation series, Professor David Breeze will talk about conservation efforts and the Antonine Wall.
In 2008, the Antonine Wall, situated, between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth became a World Heritage Site. It was a fortification built by the Romans across what is now the Central Belt of Scotland, spanning around 39 miles long, with construction beginning in 142 AD, taking about 12 years to complete.
The recognition of the Antonine Wall was in the framework of a project to make all the frontiers of the Roman Empire a World Heritage Site. This lecture will review the genesis of the project and the work undertaken to help move the international community to the ultimate target as well as looking forward to future activities and challenges.
Efforts to protect and repair our planet’s natural resources span many areas of concern with experts across the globe dedicating themselves to conservation in their research and its application. The RSE investigates… conservation series will explore the vast and varied work being done in the area, including through several innovative and exciting conservation projects in Scotland: from the conservation of wildlife and environment to the conservation of heritage.
Throughout the series, we will be asking important, and at times tricky, questions about ethics and conservation, why conservation matters, how we engage the broader public in conservation efforts and the role of conservation in addressing the climate crisis and increasing biodiversity in Scotland and globally.
SPEAKER
Professor David Breeze
Formerly Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Scotland, Historic Scotland
Professor David Breeze is a British archaeologist, teacher and scholar of Hadrian’s Wall, the Antonine Wall and the Roman army. He has served as Chair of the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies. He led the team which resulted in the inscription of the Antonine Wall as a World Heritage Site. He has published books on the Antonine Wall, Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman army. He is an honorary professor at the Universities of Durham, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Stirling.
CHAIR
Dr Rebecca Jones
Visiting Professor, Heriot-Watt University
Formerly Head of Archaeology, World Heritage and Heritage Recording at Historic Environment Scotland. Worked with David Breeze on the Antonine Wall World Heritage nomination and now co-Chair of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Expert Advisory Committee (Bratislava Group). Also co-Chair of the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies. Principal research interests are on Roman Camps and Campaigns, Roman Frontiers and World Heritage. Recently led a RSE funded Research Network on the Climate Vulnerability of Scotland’s World Heritage together with academics in Queensland, Australia.
