Short answer

When designing new structures or interventions in historically rich areas, consider how they might relate to, or even incorporate, the layered history of the site, potentially revealing or preserving evidence of earlier design intentions.

Field: Classic Design
Source: ERA (2018)
Method: Archaeological synthesis and critical evaluation of existing data.
Evidence: Moderate effect

The architectural evolution of Orkney's iconic brochs may represent the culmination of multi-period settlements dating back to the Bronze Age, potentially housing the 'missing' high-status sites from this era. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in ERA. Using Archaeological synthesis and critical evaluation of existing data., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing new structures or interventions in historically rich areas, consider how they might relate to, or even incorporate, the layered history of the site, potentially revealing or preserving evidence of earlier design intentions.

Study

Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Bronze Age Orkney's 'Missing' High-Status Sites May Lie Within Brochs

ERA · 2018

Key Findings

01Agricultural improvement and large-scale, unrecorded site destruction, particularly in the 19th century, have significantly impacted the archaeological record.
02Broch sites may represent the culmination of multi-period settlements with origins in the second or third millennia BC, potentially containing 'missing' high-status Bronze Age remains.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When researching historical sites for a design project, look for evidence of continuous occupation or development, and consider how later structures might have obscured or preserved earlier design elements.

Project actions

01When selecting a historical site for a design project, research its full history, not just the most visible period.
02Consider how modern design can respect or reveal underlying historical structures or contexts.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the potential for Bronze Age high-status sites to be precursors to or integrated within Orkney's broch structures, addressing the perceived gap in the archaeological record for this period.

MethodArchaeological synthesis and critical evaluation of existing data.

ProcedureThe research synthesizes existing archaeological data for the Orcadian Bronze Age, critically evaluates the factors influencing the archaeological record's formation (including agricultural improvement and 19th-century destruction), examines settlement patterns, burial practices, and artefactual evidence, and proposes typologies for Bronze Age settlements, exploring their developmental trajectories and relationships, with a focus on the potential link between early settlements and later broch construction.

ContextArchaeology and historical settlement patterns in Bronze Age Orkney.

Variables

IV["Factors influencing the formation of the archaeological record (e.g., agricultural improvement, 19th-century destruction)","Typologies of Bronze Age settlements and their developmental trajectories"]

DV["Presence and distribution of high-status Bronze Age sites","Relationship between early settlements and later broch construction"]

CV["Geographical location (Orkney)","Time period (Bronze Age and later)","Types of archaeological evidence considered (settlement, burial, artefacts)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a comprehensive synthesis of a previously under-examined period.
+Critically evaluates factors affecting archaeological survival.

Limitations

The archaeological record is inherently incomplete, meaning interpretations about 'missing' periods are speculative and require further empirical evidence.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of findings is dependent on the quality and completeness of the archaeological data available. Validity is enhanced by the critical evaluation of factors that might skew the record.

Think critically

Given the challenges in reconstructing the past from archaeological evidence, how can designers ethically approach interventions in historically sensitive areas, balancing the preservation of known heritage with the potential discovery of unknown historical layers?

Design Principles

"Design should acknowledge and integrate historical layers, recognizing that contemporary forms may be continuations or transformations of ancient precedents."

Understanding the deep historical roots of significant architectural forms like brochs can inform contemporary design by revealing how societal needs and status have been expressed through built environments over millennia. This historical perspective can inspire innovative approaches to form, function, and material use in modern projects.

What This Means for Your Design

Older buildings, like Orkney's brochs, might have older foundations that hold clues about how people lived and built things way back in the Bronze Age, even though we don't see much evidence from that time now.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the historical context of a chosen design site, particularly if it involves ancient or evolving architectural forms.
2.Use the findings to justify exploring deeper historical layers in your design research.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The study by Mamwell (2018) on Bronze Age Orkney suggests that iconic structures like brochs may represent the culmination of multi-period settlements, potentially concealing 'missing' high-status sites from earlier eras. This underscores the importance of investigating the deep historical layers of a site, as contemporary forms can obscure or integrate evidence of ancient design practices and societal structures.

Source

ERA

'It rained a lot and nothing much happened' : settlement and society in Bronze Age Orkney

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about bronze age orkney's 'missing' high-status sites may lie within brochs?: When designing new structures or interventions in historically rich areas, consider how they might relate to, or even incorporate, the layered history of the site, potentially revealing or preserving evidence of earlier design intentions. Evidence: ERA (2018).
Why does "Bronze Age Orkney's 'Missing' High-Status Sites May Lie Within Brochs" matter for design?: Understanding the deep historical roots of significant architectural forms like brochs can inform contemporary design by revealing how societal needs and status have been expressed through built environments over millennia. This historical perspective can inspire innovative approaches to form, function, and material use in modern projects.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing new structures or interventions in historically rich areas, consider how they might relate to, or even incorporate, the layered history of the site, potentially revealing or preserving evidence of earlier design intentions.
What were the main findings?: Agricultural improvement and large-scale, unrecorded site destruction, particularly in the 19th century, have significantly impacted the archaeological record.. Broch sites may represent the culmination of multi-period settlements with origins in the second or third millennia BC, potentially containing 'missing' high-status Bronze Age remains.
What research method was used?: Archaeological synthesis and critical evaluation of existing data..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from ERA.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When researching historical sites for a design project, look for evidence of continuous occupation or development, and consider how later structures might have obscured or preserved earlier design elements.
What are the limitations?: The study relies on the interpretation of an incomplete archaeological record, and direct excavation of potential precursor sites within brochs is required for definitive confirmation.