The excavation of a ‘lost’ medieval cemetery on the route of the N15 Bundoran–Ballyshannon Bypass has created the opportunity for an innovative research project based at the Institute of Technology, Sligo.The aim of this research study is to extract and amp

archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | DNA

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An archaeological complex spanning several millennia of human activity was unearthed in the townlands of Borris and Blackcastle, some 300 m south of the modern village of Twomileborris, Co.Tipperary.The site was situated on the N75 link road midway along the proposed route of th

archaeology | excavation (sites) | watermill

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People were being buried at Ballyhanna, in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, from at least the 12th century (Illus. 1).They were laid to rest to the east and south of a small, mortared stone church, which, at the time, stood on the banks of the Erne River, close to the strategic fording

archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | burials

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This paper provides a brief introduction to the contribution that historical research can make to the understanding and interpretation of archaeological sites.The examples used are drawn from the writer’s ongoing research for archaeologists working on sites recently excavated

archaeology | methodology | site interpretation

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When trying to understand the historical context of early medieval sites such as those newly discovered along the route of the M3 Clonee–North of Kells motorway scheme, probably the best point of departure is to try to determine the site’s original name. Since all place-names w

archaeology | methodology | place names

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In the recent past it has often been reported that animal bones are not found in the excavation of burnt mounds/fulachta fiadh. Explanations for this lack of faunal remains have ranged from acid soil (Hedges 1974–5, 42) to scavenging animals (O’Kelly 1954, 141) or to specific f

archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | fulacht fiadh

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Archaeological investigations carried out in advance of the M3 motorway scheme provided an excellent opportunity to examine a number of previously unknown prehistoric sites. The excavations were carried out on behalf of the National Roads Authority and Meath County Council and we

archaeology | methodology | burials

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The archaeological discoveries made on the M3 Clonee–North of Kells motorway scheme in County Meath have been widely published in the media in recent years.Yet the insights into our past from an extensive programme of research, geophysical survey and archaeological exca

archaeology | methodology | paleoecology

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In August 2005 an excavation was undertaken by Graham Hull, TVAS (Ireland) Ltd, at Clare Abbey on behalf of Clare County Council and the National Roads Authority as part of works associated with the N18 Ennis Bypass and the N85 Western Relief Road.1 Clare County Council requested

archaeology | excavation (sites) | monastery

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Concentrations of major, minor and trace elements within archaeological bone reflect elemental concentrations in diet and subsistence patterns of the sampled population. Through the determination of a variety of elements (substances, such as iron, that cannot be resolved by

archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | chemical analysis

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The purpose of this paper is not to describe in detail the various early medieval archaeological sites discovered in advance of construction of the M3 motorway but to explore the research opportunities provided by the recent findings from the scheme as a whole. This wil

archaeology | methodology | burials

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Almost 6,000 years ago a narrow trackway of branches and twigs was laid down on the wet surface of a County Longford bog, signalling the start of a practice that would continue for the following four millennia and would create one of the most remarkable archaeological complexes e

archaeology | excavation (sites) | bog

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