Research
Research within AOC Archaeology is stimulated both by the nature of some developer-funded projects and by the interests of the staff themselves. Academic publication is still seen as the primary form of dissemination of fieldwork results and is usually required by the curatorial agencies on any medium- to large-scale project. AOC has been diligent in the publication of its fieldwork projects and this is reflected in our extensive company bibliography. Academic publication requires that the results of an excavation be fully contextualised and, depending on the wealth of evidence recovered, this can involve research into more thematic subjects which are of interest to a wider audience (see Kintore, Aberdeenshire). This has on occasion generated ‘spin-off’ publications on specific themes which have emerged as a result of a particular piece of fieldwork. AOC staff are encouraged to publish the results of their fieldwork in as wide a range of publications as possible, from academic journals, regional magazines and newspapers, to trade and industry newsletters. We also use the web to disseminate our research findings and undertake a number of public lectures. Many of our projects are published through the STAR Monograph series.
AOC Archaeology also encourages its staff to develop and undertake research into their own particular area of interest. This is seen as an important element in personal professional development which also serves to enrich the resources of the company. Research into lithic assemblages, later prehistoric settlement, broch construction and design, megalithic architecture, wetland archaeology and dendrochronology has been undertaken and published, some of this research leading on to the development of larger projects.