The earliest evidence for agriculture in Ireland has been dated to the Early Neolithic period, beginning around 4000 BC. From the outset of the Neolithic, previous food procurement strategies—including hunting, fishing and gathering—began to be replaced by plant and animal hu

archaeology | methodology | archaeobotany

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This paper provides sets the context within which archaeological works were taking place on national road schemes, and provides an overview of some of the key archaeological discoveries from national road scheme projects.

archaeology | regulation | methodology

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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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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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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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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 six years since a Code of Practice was signed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (2000), a major change has occurred in the way archaeology is considered. Prior to the Code of Practice and the emplo

archaeology | legislation | planning

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The nature of archaeological fieldwork has changed dramatically over the last two decades. This is immediately apparent in the near total eclipse of ‘research’ excavations by ‘predevelopment’ excavations. The uneven distribution of archaeological work, favouring hotspots of

archaeology | regulation | methodology

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Functions of the National Roads Authority The National Roads Authority (NRA) was established in 1994, as an independent statutory body under the Roads Act 1993. The NRA’s primary function is to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads. Its current

archaeology | regulation | methodology

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