Blog

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROFESSION IN IRELAND

A workshop on the future of the archaeological profession in Ireland was held in Kilkenny on 8th March, 2011. The aim was to discuss the crisis facing the profession and come up with solutions. The current best estimate by the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI) of numbers working in the profession is 350 from a peak of 1700 in 2008. This may be an overestimate as anecdotally we’re hearing of widespread unemployment nationwide, with people working only sporadically and others on short term or part time hours. Obvioucly we haven’t been immune and have lost some great people over the past two years, through redundancy or lay-offs.

Here’s a link to a pdf of the discussion document which resulted from the workshop..

Archaeological Profession in Ireland 2011

And here’s a link to photos of the flip charts from the forum uploaded by John Tierney:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21881987@N02/sets/72157626225951266

It should be clear to everyone in the archaeological profession that the current crisis is not a temporary glitch, but there are 2 great dangers in my opinion…

One is that we are reverting to the bad old days when archaeology was seen as a ‘vocation’ (code for badly paid and with crap conditions), and from the anecdotal evidence this is fast becoming a reality, with indications that those who remain in employment at the lower grades are being paid barely above the minimum wage. The second is that standards will fall and that the quality of archaeological work will not be sufficiently policed (both issues were discussed at the forum)….

Lot’s of interesting findings – The IAI are interested in hearing opinions and we’d be delighted to get some comments and a discussion going here. Feel free to add your thoughts below.

Apr 11, 2011 | Categories:About Archaeology, News | Tags: , | 1 Comment »

ENNIS PALSTAVE

In light of the Irish Times’ History of Ireland in 100 Objects series, we’re republishing our Ennis Bypass Palstave post.

This was the first artefact in our virtual museum and is deep in the bowels of our blog now. So here it is again:

We’ve also presented a report on the find including a description of the circumstances of it’s finding. We hope people find it interesting!

From: Rogers, T., 04. Report on linear and offset testing on the N18 Ennis Bypass, County Clare. Moore Group.

As part of the National Roads Authority programme for upgrading the N18 Limerick to Galway Road a 13.8km eastern bypass of Ennis from Latoon, outside Newmarket, to north of Barefield, at Cragard, along with 7.1km of a western relief road from Killow to Claureen, was constructed.

The final phase of archaeological testing on the road involved the excavation of a centreline trench along the entire length of the route with offset trenches at 25m intervals on either side. For this the scheme was divided into two. Contract 3, undertaken by Moore Group assessed the road corridor between Barefield and Killow Junction, while Contract 4 undertaken by Thames Valley Archaeological Services assessed the remainder of the scheme from Killow to Latoon and Killow to Claureen. Several archaeological sites were identified along the course of these routes and subsequently excavated. This report describes a single find, a Bronze Age Palstave discovered during Contract 3.

Discovery

The Palstave (Find no: 03E1293:005) was found in an offset trench in the townland of Ballymacahill, some 4km north east of Ennis. It lay in topsoil on a slight rise at the southern edge of a large pasture field. Exposed in the section of the trench, it lay at a depth of approximately 0.15m. An area of 150 sq m was opened around the find spot but no features were recorded. A metal detector licence was obtained (Licence no. 03R130) and both the spoil from the centreline trench and the offset in which it was found was spread out and detected but no related objects or features were found.

The field in which the Palstave was found is large undulating field, relatively smooth with occasional limestone outcrops. It is clear that the land has been improved by mechanical means as there are none of the loose limestone boulders or hazel scrub which are generally found in rougher fields in the area.

Furthermore, a large depression in the centre of the field has been used as a stone dump and plastic sacks with this matrix are testament to its fairly modern origins.

Palstave characteristics

The palstave is a development of the flanged axe in which an axe head is hafted using flaps or flanges of metal at the edges of the tool to grip the haft above the blade (Waddell 1998). The characteristic development of the palstave is the ledge stop or bar ledge stop which joins the flanges across the tool to form a continuous ‘u’ shape. This jutting ledge of metal projects to the same height as the flanges and is sometimes undercut to form a pocket. Below the stop the blade is thicker than the expanse (or septum) between the flanges. Decorative motifs which may also serve to strengthen the tool can occur on the blade below the stop.

Palstaves are known from the middle Bronze Age, occurring in north-western France, the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. In Ireland the earliest examples are associated with the metalworking phase known as the Killymaddy named after a hoard from County Antrim. This phase dates approximately 1500-1350 BC. There is considerable variation in the form of the palstave which may represent attempts to improve hafting methods. It is likely that they were used as for a variety of woodworking purposes although their value as currency cannot be overlooked given the amount of metal required in their making.

Description

The Ballymacahill palstave is 123mm long and 51mm wide with a breadth of 31mm. The flanges increase in depth from 3mm at the butt towards a depth of 11mm at the stop. They do not continue below the stop ledge. The septum is 5mm thick. The stop ledge is concave with pockets 5mm deep. There is a midrib which extends 35mm below the stop, tapering from 18mm width at the stop to 2mm at its lower end. The blade does not have a large splay, widening from 31mm at the haft end to 51mm at the cutting edge.

Classification

Irish palstaves are classified broadly into four groups A-D (Mount 1997, Waddell 1998). Group A palstaves have a ‘u’ shaped motif below the stop, occasionally with a vertical midrib forming a trident pattern. The flanges sometimes extend below the stop. Group B palstaves are similar but with a vertical midrib and flanges that always extend below the stop. The Ballymacahill palstave falls into the Group C category where flanges are not extended below the stop and the stop is often undercut. This group is subdivided into C1 where the flanges in side view form convex curves from stop to butt and C2 where the flanges have their highest point above the butt. The Ballymacahill palstave conforms to the first of these with the best surviving flange performing a slightly convex curve rising from butt to the highest point at the stop before this prominence tapers to the midrib. The stops are undercut by 5mm. Group D palstaves have narrow bodies with only slightly diverging sides and generally have a loop.

Condition

The palstave was stabilised in 2003 at Arch Con Labs Ltd. by Cathy Daly who supplied the following information regarding its condition and treatment. The metal surface is corroded, the worst affected area being the cutting edge. Pitting from Bronze disease occurs across the entire object and has disturbed the original patina. The patina is fragile, in some areas it has been completely undermined by powdery copper carbonates and much of it has been lost.

The flanges on both faces have suffered physical loss and distortion, some of this damage appears to be quite recent. On one face the stop has been deformed slightly and a small piece has broken off.

Treatment

The heavy soiling and loose copper carbonate was removed with a scalpel and no 15 blade at x10 magnification. To remove additional soiling, the object was placed in de-ionised water and brushed with a soft bristle brush. It was removed, patted dry and dewatered in IMS.

In order to prevent bronze disease recurring the object was treated with Benzotriazole (BTA). It was immersed in a 3% w/v solution of BTA in IMS and placed under a vacuum for a period of 5 days. Following removal from BTA the palstave was rinsed in IMS and allowed to air dry. It was then painted with 2 coats of Incralac lacquer to which a matting agent (Gasil fumed silica) had been added.

The loose fragment was reattached with HMG B72 adhesive prior to lacquering.

Conclusion

The Palstave was found in isolation from other archaeological features. No further metal finds were uncovered by metal detector and no features of archaeological interest were uncovered in the nearby trenches. It is clear from the appearance of the field and the presence of the large stone dump in the centre that this field has been improved by mechanical means in the last 30 years. It is likely therefore that the palstave may have been dragged to its findspot by some form of agricultural activity.

With the possible exception of a standing stone in Carrowdotia no Bronze Age monuments are recorded on the Sites and Monuments Record in this immediate area. However it is clear from the abundance of ringforts that the area was populated in the later prehistoric and early Christian periods. Furthermore, considerable evidence of prehistoric activity was uncovered on Contract 4, a few km south of the palstave. Whether the palstave was a chance loss, deposited in an archaeological feature or buried as part of a hoard it is impossible to determine.

Bibliography

Waddell, J 1998 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland Galway University Press

Mount, C 1997 The early and middle Bronze Age in South-East Ireland: aspects of social and cultural distributions. Volume 1.Unpublished thesis

Daly C. 2004 Artefact Conservation Record C04126, Arch Con Labs Ltd

Feb 19, 2011 | Categories:About Archaeology, Finds, Virtual Museum | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

IAI STATEMENT

Statement from the Board of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, 18th February 2011.

European Union pursues legal action while state reduces numbers of archaeologists engaged in regulation.

The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI) notes with concern that the EU Commission has initiated a second legal action against the Government over its failure to adopt a farming environmental directive. In 2008 the European Court of Justice found that Ireland’s thresholds were too high for setting out when an environmental impact assessment is required for water management, irrigation and land drainage projects, and the restructuring of rural landholdings. A study published by the Heritage Council in 1999 found that 34% of archaeological monuments ever known to have existed in seven study areas had been destroyed. The study concluded that in those cases where the cause of destruction could be established, 83% of the monuments had been destroyed during land improvements and drainage works. The same study also found that land improvement works were responsible for varying degrees of damage to monuments in a further 35% of cases (O’Sullivan, O’Connor & Kennedy 1999).

Agriculture is seen as a significant engine of future economic growth; the growth of agricultural output and productivity is likely to increase the threats faced by our non-renewable archaeological heritage.The IAI has learned that it is proposed under the Public Service Employment Control Framework (ECF) to reduce by six the number of archaeologists employed by the National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government. This will reduce the state’s capacity to deal with the issues at the heart of the Commission’s legal action. We have also learned that under the ECF the National Museum of Ireland is required to lose 17 staff in the current year, and the National Roads Authority is to lose a similar number of staff.

These bodies employ highly qualified and experienced archaeologists working at the frontline for the protection of our heritage. We are concerned that the pool of professional archaeological expertise and advice available in the public sector is being diminished at a time when legal action is being pursued against the state.Furthermore these professionals are needed to help stimulate economic recovery and ensure effective investment of limited public monies. Archaeological heritage is currently being marketed as one of the attributes that makes Ireland a unique tourist destination. The IAI believes that reducing the small numbers of archaeologists employed in the public service will expose Ireland to risk of further legal action from the EU Commission and will also hamper our ability to develop a sustainable heritage tourism industry.

We call on the incoming government to commit itself to implementing the EU directives and to ensuring that the state has the necessary capacity to manage these potential threats to our archaeological heritage and to foster the development of sustainable heritage tourism.We also call on the incoming government to enact the new National Monuments Bill, which would bring greater clarity to the state’s ability to protect its cultural and archaeological heritage.

Source of data: O’Sullivan, M., O’ConnorD. J. & Kennedy, L. 1999 Archaeological features at risk project. Heritage Council, Kilkenny.ENDSInstitute of Archaeologists of Ireland63 Merrion SquareDublin 2Phone: 01-6629517Email: info@iai.iehttp://www.iai.ie/

Feb 18, 2011 | Categories:About Archaeology, News | Tags: , , , , | Leave A Comment »

COCKLES AND PISEOG’S

Area 2 at Oranmore comprised a recent midden (basically a 19th century dump) and didn’t contain anything of any great significance – mostly oyster shells etc.. The stratigraphy of the midden revealed that the deposited shells were located immediately below the sod, and rested above the sub-soil, which in turn was sitting on glacial till.  During the excavation of this slot trench 19th century glass was recovered from the subsoil below the midden layer, indicating the midden material was deposited recently in the 19th or 20th century.

Trench through midden

Ger analysed the shell and his description follows..

Generally, there are two types of mollusc present in the samples analysed, marine molluscs and non-marine or land snails.  The land snails are naturally occurring and could be considered part of the natural fauna of the area.  The marine molluscs were harvested for food and the shells discarded thereafter.  The majority of the shell recovered during excavations was Oyster shell, with some complete valves, but mostly broken and worn portions.  The fragmented and worn nature of the shell portions made analysis of animal numbers impossible.

The use of oyster as a popular food dates from prehistoric times, reflected in the composition of shell middens around the coast of Ireland.  Oyster farming from beds on the coasts of France and the UK have been used since Roman times.

The native oyster Ostrea edulis is associated with highly productive estuarine and shallow coastal water habitats on firm bottoms of mud, rocks, muddy sand, muddy gravel with shells and hard silt.  In exploited areas, suitable habitat has been created in the form of ‘cultch’ – broken shells and other hard substrata.

Oysters – Photo CC from http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/

Ostrea edulis is a bivalve mollusc that has an oval or pear-shaped shell with a rough, scaly surface.  The two halves (valves) of the shell are different shapes.  The left valve is concave and fixed to the substratum, the right being flat and sitting inside the left.  The shell is off-white, yellowish or cream in colour with light brown or bluish concentric bands on the right valve.  Ostrea edulis grows up to 110mm long, rarely larger. The inner surfaces are pearly, white or bluish-grey, often with darker blue areas.

The first recorded taxation of oysters [in Ireland] is a report of the payment to the Revenue Receiver of Old Ross of six shillings and eight pence by Philip Bentee in 1281 for oyster beds (“pro terras ostredan”) in Wexford Harbour.  So popular were oysters that many towns had ordinances protecting their local supply from outsiders.  In 1734 Youghal Corporation agreed with its lessee Nicol Giles a fixed price of 16 pence per hundred oysters on the condition “…that he obliged to supply the town with the same and not sell more than half a hundred to one person at once, until oysters are more plenty” (Wilkins, 2004).

Common cockle Cerastoderma edule are widely distributed in estuaries and sandy bays around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.  They inhabit the surface of sediments, burrowing to a depth of no more than 5cm.  They are found on clean sand, muddy sand, mud or muddy gravel from the middle to lower intertidal, sometimes subtidally.  Cockles were also a popular food source, however, not so much as oyster.  It may be that the meat of these species was poorly regarded or possibly that the lower numbers are related to a Gaelic Irish sexual piseog that these species, when actively feeding (i.e. when open) bear a superficial resemblance to female exterior genitalia and thus until relatively recent times have been considered inappropriate for normal consumption (Wilkins, 2001).  It is more likely that cockles were an incidental by catch in the harvesting of Oysters.

For a full list of references email us…

Feb 14, 2011 | Categories:About Archaeology | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

COIN FROM ORANMORE

Pictured above is the coin recovered from the site at Oranmore – you can read the introduction to the excavation in this post: http://www.mooregroup.ie/2011/02/excavations-at-oranmore/

Found with burial 1, the coin was located close to the left hand of the skeleton indicating that it was deliberately placed with the individual at the time of burial.  After conservation some letters including ‘VMADIV’ were visible on one surface of the coin; however the coin was too badly worn to discern the type of coin but is likely to be a ‘hammered’ coin.  ‘Hammered’ is the term given to a type of coin produced in Europe, the Middle East and the New World between about 600 AD and 1700 AD. Hammered coins were made by manually striking a coin blank (usually of silver or gold) between two hand cut dies. Hammered coins are normally quite thin, exhibit uneven striking and often have striking cracks at their edges. The coin from Area 1 exhibits this uneven striking and has cracks along the edge; it is also is very thin and made of silver.  It is likely that the Pairc an Clochar coin dates to the later period of production of hammered coins from the Late Medieval period.  A search of the website www.irishcoinage.com revealed a similar coin to the one found in Area 1, the letters ‘VMADIV’ are discernible on one side of the coin, this corresponded with an inscription found on another hammered coin a shilling of Elizabeth I’s ‘Fine Issue’ of 1561.

Feb 04, 2011 | Categories:About Archaeology, Finds, Resources, Virtual Museum | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments »