Archaeology

Humans have occupied Ireland for the past 10,000 years, leaving us with a rich legacy of archaeological monuments and landscapes. We work to conserve this unique archaeological heritage.

Publications

This is the Archaeology publications section. Here you can find all publications, reports and presentations for this heritage area of interest.

ARCHAEOLOGY FEATURED PUBLICATION

Guidelines for the Care, Conservation and Recording of Historic Graveyards in Co. Waterford

This publication identifies the issues relating to the care, conservation and recording of historic graveyards in County Waterford and provides advice on best practice in relation to these topics.

From the graveyard wall to iron memorials, all of the features that go to make up an historic graveyard are looked at with recommendations for their care and conservation along with suggestions for cost-effective ways of maintaining graveyards in accordance with best practice.

The text was prepared by Caimin O’Brien on behalf of Waterford County Council with contributions from Mieke Muyllaert, Ecologist.

Click here to download and view a PDF version of this publication [PDF 3.7MB].

ARCHAEOLOGY PUBLICATION

The Irish Strategic Archaeological Research Programme: A review of the first two years of its operation and future development

The INSTAR Programme was set up in 2008 to help realize the potential of Ireland’s
archaeological record and to transform understanding of how Irish society has
evolved. After two years of operation it is judged to be a spectacular success and a model form other countries to follow.

The Programme is transforming the very nature of Irish archaeological endeavour by
bringing together the academic, regulatory and private sectors to address highly
relevant research topics including climate change and landscape and is creating new
knowledge and understanding for the academic world and for the general public
alike.

Click here to download the publication in PDF format [PDF 189K]

Latest Publications

Unpublished Excavations in the Republic of Ireland 1930-1997

The Heritage Council commissioned The Oxford Archaeological Unit, now Oxford Archaeology, to undertake a national survey of unpublished archaeological reports for licences issued in the Republic of Ireland up until and including 1997. Its purpose was to assess the significance and quality of the unpublished reports, recommend appropriate publication media and develop recommendations for the future management of the backlog. The survey began in 1998 and a pilot report was submitted to the Heritage Council in January 1999 that validated the methodology and provided some preliminary results. This is the final report of the completed survey.

Click here to download a PDF version of this publication [PDF 2.3MB]

Brú na Bóinne Research Framework Project

The Bend of the Boyne, or Brú na Bóinne, has been an important ritual, social and economic centre for thousands of years. Internationally renowned for its elaborate Neolithic passage tombs, and containing the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Europe, its universal value was recognised in 1993 when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), only one of three on the island of Ireland. The Heritage Council, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has drafted a research framework for Brú na Bóinne which re-assesses key priorities and looks at where future research should be directed.

Click here to download the Brú na Bóinne Reseach Framework : SUMMARY [PDF 7MB]

Click here to download the Brú na Bóinne Reseach Framework : FULL DOCUMENT [PDF 10.5MB]

Air and Earth: Aerial Archaeology in Ireland

The Heritage Council recently published a review of aerial photography and airborne survey in Ireland.

Aerial archaeology is the practice of using aircraft (or in some cases satellites) to provide a high-level view of the historic environment based on conventional photography and a range of remote sensing technologies. It is relevant to all stages of archaeological work — reconnaissance, interpretation, analysis, publication and dissemination, and is one among many methods.

Air and Earth: Aerial Archaeology in Ireland [PDF 3.4MB]