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 This Course is delivered by Gerry Mullins  a locally based archaeologist.

 

 

 

 

Week 1 Part 1:

Introduction It is proposed that the course will be run over a period of ten classes, nine of which will be done in Gorey Community School followed by a final site tour. Class 1 will introduce the topics to be discussed. This will be followed by a general chat with the attendance in order to determine any particular interests, which might be accommodated during the course.

 

   Week 1 Part 2:

The Origins, History and Philosophy of Archaeology The class will briefly examine the origins and progression of archaeology as a discipline. We will examine how it developed from eighteenth and nineteenth century antiquarianism to become a significant business in Ireland during the years of the ‘Celtic Tiger’. 

Week 2 Part 1:

The Process of Archaeological Identification We are all aware of upstanding archaeological monuments in the landscape, Megalithic tombs, Ringforts, Castles, Ecclesiastical sites etc.  But using illustrations we will look at how other archaeological features remain hidden in the landscape and the process of their identification prior to major development as required by Irish legislation.  

Week 2 Part 2:

Excavation Procedures The class will examine excavation procedures: how the actual excavation is done and the methods employed. This work is only undertaken when there is no alternative left but to ‘rescue’ the archaeology. Subsequent excavation then allows the site to be recorded and preserved ‘on paper’ for future reference.  

Week 3:

Archaeological Excavation The class will go through the process of an archaeological excavation. We will look at the various jobs and responsibilities of the excavation team on and off site and at post-excavation procedures leading to the production of a report and possible publication of the results. It is the accumulated result of these excavations and surveys that allow us to confidently trace our archaeological heritage.   

Weeks 4 and 5:

Ireland’s Prehistory  Based on previous excavations we will look at the archaeological evidence left by Ireland’s first inhabitants; at their lifestyle and at the types of artefact they used. This period is referred to as the Mesolithic. Following this period, at about 4000 BC, a significant cultural change occurred in Ireland. Evidence of settlement, represented by domestic dwellings, farming, pottery and a new stone technology are seen to emerge. But this period, referred to as the Neolithic, is probably best known for the various megalithic tombs that are still so obvious in the Irish landscape. Again we see a new technology emerging about 2500 BC, namely the use of metal. This is accompanied by new pottery types, a changing burial culture and domestic settlement patterns. We will look at the limited evidence there is for the Irish Iron Age, dated to between approximately 600 BC and the introduction of Christianity to the Island almost 1000 years later 

Week 6:

The Early Medieval Period In Ireland we generally refer to the Early Medieval period as occurring between the coming of Christianity during the 5th century AD and the Norman incursions beginning in 1169.

 This period is also referred to as the Early Christian or Early Historic period. During this era we recognise the introduction of literacy, ecclesiastical settlements, changes in farming practice and new settlement types. We also see the coming of the Vikings who eventually settled on our coasts and founded many modern Irish cities. There are several excavated sites dating from this period. The class will look at some of the available evidence which has led to our better understanding of Early Medieval Ireland. 

 

Week 7:

The Later Medieval Period Apart from the many castles so obvious through the landscape, other features representing this period are the motte and bailey, moated and monastic sites. Many of these monuments are of Norman origin, there are few indigenous Irish buildings from this period. Therefore it is intended to look in detail at the culture, architectural features and structural history of the Towerhouse, although not unique to Ireland, it certainly developed as a very Irish building.  

 

Week 8:

Industrial Archaeology Although Ireland never underwent an industrial revolution as occurred in many other countries, particularly England, we do have a substantial number of structures related to industrial activities. These range from our canals to the blacksmith’s forge, or even the lime kiln, mostly associated with agriculture. Until recently there has been little archaeological interest in these, the emphasis being always on the prehistoric and early medieval.  

 

Week 9:

Archaeological Theory and some Archaeology of the Future We will look at some basic theories related to archaeology. Excavated features and artefacts require interpretation before any attempt can be made to reconstruct the society, or part of, from which the evidence has been recovered. Approaches to this aspect of archaeology have often changed and been renewed over the years. It is always interesting to examine why we view the past as we do, and also to look at modern buildings and artefacts and wonder what a future civilisation could say about us, based on archaeological evidence. 

 

Week 10:

Field trip.
 
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