Dr Stephanie Blankshein

My research interests are focused on the exploration of archaeological and environmental datasets through innovative digital approaches. Areas of expertise encompass the recording, analysing and visualising of sites and artefacts through digital methodologies (e.g. aerial photogrammetry, geophysics, laser scanning, 3D modelling) and the use of computational approaches to understanding archaeological questions (e.g. geospatial analyses, data mining, machine learning). A particular research interest of mine is the challenges surrounding the integration of terrestrial and maritime/underwater contexts and datasets.

My doctoral thesis explored the nature of movement and connectivity in the Outer Hebrides during the Neolithic. This was done through the creation of palaeogeographic reconstructions, which were combined with palaeotidal reconstructions to computationally model terrestrial pathways and seafaring routes through a least-cost approach. These models were analysed alongside a collated database of the entire Hebridean Neolithic archaeological record to understand how movement may have contributed to a unique Hebridean identity.

My MSc dissertation sought to explore the maritime aspects of Iron Age communities in the Outer Hebrides. This research included the creation of palaeogeographic reconstructions, landcover classifications, and topographic prominence indices before a visibility analysis was conducted to and from a collated database of Hebridean Iron Age roundhouses. Subsequent geospatial and statistical analyses enabled a greater understanding of the landscape and seascapes in which these sites existed. This dissertation was subsequently awarded the 2014-2015 Royal Archaeological Institute’s Master’s Dissertation Prize.