Archaeology
Archaeology Content
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
Guidance for the Care, Conservation and Recording of Historic Graveyards
Our historic graveyards are places of intense human activity. Along with providing a resting place for our departed and a place of remembrance, graveyards are of immense heritage value as sites of archaeological and architectural interest, as wildlife habitats and as repositories of local genealogy, sculpture and art. Across the Irish landscape countless generations erected churches for worship, round towers, enclosure walls, crypts and gravestones. Together all of these elements provide a huge source of information on worship, sorrow and loss, memory and identity. A visit to a historic cemetery and a cursory look at the many graveyard inscriptions brings us very close to earlier families and communities that confronted challenges such as famine, epidemics and conflict. In short, there is a lot we can learn from our historic cemeteries and this book will help unlock much of that information by assisting communities and researchers.
Click here to download and view a PDF version of this publication [PDF 7.3MB]
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
Assessment of Landscape change and effects on Archaeology and an Assessment of Habitat Survey in the Burren, Co. Clare
FINAL REPORT April 2006
The present study attempts to quantify the nature and effects of the growth of hazel scrub and to suggest ways of mapping and monitoring the habitats and archaeology of the Burren. The study consisted of desk study, field work and analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery. Within the overall study area a more limited pilot area was defined which covers the SE part of the Burren, centred on Noughaval. This area was chosen because of the prevalence of monuments and the known growth of hazel scrub. Seven 1km by 1km sample areas, located within the SE area of the Burren, were selected for detailed fieldwork
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.
Review of Archaeological Assessment and Monitoring Procedures in Ireland
Download a Review of Archaeological Assessment and Monitoring Procedures in Ireland [PDF 583KB]
Newtown Jerpoint Conservation Plan
Download Conservation Plan of Newtown Jerpoint Co Kilkenny [PDF 5.3MB]
Archaeology 2020: Repositioning Irish Archaeology in the Knowledge Society
Medieval Walls of Kilkenny
Medieval Walls of Kilkenny Conservation Plan
Click here to download publication [PDF 2.3MB]
Guidelines for Good Practices for Developers
These guidelines aim to produce a better understanding of the needs of archaeology in Ireland and to improve co-operation between developers.
Download Guidelines for Good Practices for Developers [PDF 748KB]
Farming and Archaeology: The Irish Historic Landscape
Download Farming and Archaeology: The Irish Historic Landscape [PDF 747KB]
Ireland’s Historic Churches and Graveyards
Graveyards are an integral feature of the landscape and are powerful reminders of families from former times.
Download Ireland’s Historic Churches and Graveyards [PDF 1.8MB]
A Review of Research Needs in Irish Archaeology
Ireland's Maritime Archaeology
A snapshot of maritime archaeology from Mesolithic times to the archaeology of the modern coastline.
HERITAGE IN YOUR AREA
Select your county from the drop-down list below for more information about heritage projects in your area.
ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS
The Archaeological Profession in Ireland
A Workshop on Future Possibilities, March 2011. Findings now available.
ARCHAEOLOGY EVENTS
Rathcroghan Archaeological Conference - Call for Papers
The Cruachan Aí Centre in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon Ireland is hosting an Archaeological Conference from April 13th – 15th to highlight the important archaeological work carried out in the Rathcroghan area over the past ten years.