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The 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival was a seminal event in the modern re-invention of the city. In this lecture, Kenny will consider how archaeology (especially Roman) was represented at the Festival, including the unique reconstruction of an Antonine Wall gatehouse. He will also discuss the results of his own fieldwork and excavations (2022-2024) across what remains of the Festival site. The case will be made that archaeology is a powerful tool to explore recent events, engage the public, and unlock memories.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A. Attendees are also welcome to stay for a free drinks reception from approximately 7pm where you can discuss the lecture and other interests with the speaker, Society Fellows and other attendees.
This talk will be presented by Dr Kenny Brophy BSc FSAScot, University of Glasgow.
Kenny is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Glasgow with 30 years’ experience of research and fieldwork into Scotland’s Neolithic and 20th century archaeology. This includes being co-director of the Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) Project since 2006. Current research interests include the contemporary archaeology of prehistory, Glasgow’s archaeology, and exploring the social benefits of archaeology.
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Header image credit: Excavations in 2024 in the vicinity of where the Antonine Gardens Roman bathhouse was located during the Garden Festival, showing material dumped during dismantlement of the Festival site (c) Kenny Brophy
Main image credit: The reconstructed Antonine Wall gatehouse taken during the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival (c) Michael Gannon