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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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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Human palaeopathology has been defined as the scientific study of disease processes in past populations through the examination of human remains (Aufderheide & Rodríguez- Martin 1998, 1). It examines how diseases have evolved and changed over periods of time and how humans
archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | paleopathology
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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 term ‘disarticulated bone’ refers to skeletal elements that over time become disassociated from their primary context as a result of a variety of factors, including animal activity, erosion and, not least, human behaviour—such as grave-digging. In the case of the di
archaeology | analysis and testing techniques | osteology
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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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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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Roestown 2 in County Meath is one of approximately 160 archaeological sites discovered to date along the proposed route of the M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme. The site is a multiperiod archaeological complex focused on a multiphased, D-shaped enclosure of early medi
archaeology | excavation (sites) | marsh
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The souterrain at Tateetra was situated north-west of Dundalk, Co. Louth, and south of the Castletown River in an area of gently undulating topography (Illus. 1 & 2).The site (NGR 302587, 309824; height 10 m OD; ministerial direction no. A010/001) was partly excavated by Aegis Ar
archaeology | excavation (sites) | souterrain
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The ringfort at Leggetsrath West was situated to the east of Kilkenny city, on the proposed route of the N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension (Illus. 1). The site was identified in a preliminary archaeological assessment of the road corridor as an area of potential archaeol
archaeology | excavation (sites) | ringforts
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