Virtual Archaeology in Inverclyde
Local archaeologist Louie Pastore has created virtual reconstructions of several important monuments in the Inverclyde area. Animations currently available include the Roman Fortlet at Lurg Moor above Greenock, the fort of the Strathclyde British at Dumbarton Rock as it may have appeared in the late 6th century AD, and a recreation of one of the Clyde crannogs. All of these animations, and more, can be viewed on Kingdom of Strathclyde pages on YouTube
In addition to creating these vitural models, Mr Pastore has previously reported a number of unrecorded examples of rock art from the area of Gourock Golf Course (see news item Rock Art Reported for further details). Mr Pastore has recently identified further examples of cup-marked boulders from the area around Loch Thom. Details of this and other rock art identified from across the whole of Britain can be found on the British Rock Art Collection website.
Mr Pastore is also currently involved with the Scotland's Rural Past (SRP) project. Scotland's Rural Past hopes to identify, locate and document the many abandonedrural settlements present in the landscape around Scotland. Over the next few months, Mr Pastore will be undertaking a survey of the hills behind Greenock for the lost settlements of Rogerstoun, Richstoun and a un-named settlement on the River Calder. Anyone interested in taking part in this survey should contact Mr Pastore through the Archaeology Inverclyde. Details of other SRP projects in the WoSAS area can be found in the Scotland's Rural Past news item.