Archaeological Field Services
ADS Peatland Archaeological Field School June – July 2011
Introduction
Archaeological Development Services Ltd (ADS) are archaeological consultants to Bord na Móna (BnM), Irelands largest peat producer since 1998. During this time we have carried out fieldwalking surveys and have excavated over 200 archaeological sites in their industrial peatlands in the Irish Midlands.
The wealth and diverse nature of archaeological sites, artefacts and environmental information preserved in Irish peat bogs is unparalleled. The wooden trackways, platforms, gravel and stone roadways excavated to date have ranged from the Neolithic to Later Medieval Periods, many of which are unique to the archaeological record. With our academic partners in Reading University and Royal Holloway University of London we have facilitated hands on undergraduate training, Masters and Doctorate theses in Palaeoenvironmental research including tephrachronology, peat stratigraphy, insect analysis and the development of new geophysical survey techniques.
For 2011 we have developed a practical field-based training school providing a unique opportunity to those seeking an introduction to field archaeology. The two week field school has been developed with the aim of providing participants with practical training of the highest professional standard from experienced practising peatland archaeologists. There is also the opportunity for those who have completed the two week instruction course to participate in an additional two or four weeks excavation season.
The aim of the ADS Peatland Archaeological Field School is to provide the participant with the skills to locate, identify, record and excavate archaeological structures in Peatlands and to interpret the sites in order to gain an insight into human interaction within marginal landscapes. This information will be put into context with the surrounding archaeological monuments in the ‘dry land’ areas and provide a more detailed picture of the particular social group and their way of life.
At the end of the course Participants will:
- An understanding of Irish archaeology
- have knowledge and understanding of Irish Peatland Archaeology
- be able to identify archaeological sites through field walking survey
- be able to distinguish archaeological wood from naturally occurring wood remains
- be able to record, excavate and interpret different Peatland sites
Field School summary course outline:
Week 1 starts with a day in the classroom where participants will learn about Irish archaeology, Irish peatlands, the history of excavations in peatlands, sites excavated to date and their local and regional contexts.
On-site training will commence on day two with training in archaeological field walking. By the end of the week students will have learnt how to identify, record and sample sites.
In week 2 participants will receive training in the excavation of a trackway where they will be shown excavation techniques, recording, completion of feature sheets, drawing, peat stratigraphy, photography and sampling.
An additional two to four weeks excavation experience is also on offer to those that have completed the two week training course. During this time participants will get the opportunity to further their skills with additional supervision as well as gaining hands on experience in palaeoenvironmental sampling.
University accreditation is pending, participants will be supplied with a certificate of satisfactory completion of the field school and additional excavation season if completed.
Dates for 2011 are as follows:
Peatland Archaeological Field School 20th June – 1st July / 4th-15th July / 18th-29th July
Additional Practical Peatland Excavation 4th – 15th July & 18th-29th July
Fees:
Fees are inclusive of accommodation which is provided on a self catering basis, transport to and from site as well as a learning pack including field manual and log book and the provision of excavation equipment for use while in attendance. The school runs Monday – Friday inclusive 9am – 4.30pm participants are free to explore the beautiful sites and scenary of the Irish Midlands at the weekends or may avail of additional guided tours of sites of interest in the local area for a small additional fee.
Peatland Archaeological Field School €1,450
Additional Practical Peatland Excavation €1,200 for two weeks / €2,000 for four weeks
Location:
Accomodation will be provided in Athlone, Co Westmeath and the Field School will be based near Ballyforan, Co Galway.
Booking
A deposit of 50% of the fee payable before 31st March 2011 will secure your booking with the balance due by 1st May 2011. Booking forms and furter details are available by emailing training@adsireland.ie or by contacting Jane Whitaker directly at 00353 866012040.
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ADS Introduction to Forensic Anthropology 2011
Archaeological Development Services Ltd (ADS) are one of Ireland’s leading archaeological service providers. For 2011 we have developed a practical course in Forensic Anthropology providing a unique opportunity to those interested in seeking an introduction to the study of human remains in archaeology and, in a broader context, the archaeology of death in Ireland. The training provided will be of interest to many who work in archaeology, including current students of archaeology as well as professionals who seek to learn more about this specialised area within archaeology. The course has been developed with the aim of providing participants with practical training of the highest professional standard from practising professional archaeologists and Ireland’s leading forensic anthropologist, Laureen Buckley.
Laureen has studied human skeletal remains from an archaeological context for 25 years. She is regularly consulted by the Gardai and the State Pathologists’ for advice on skeletal material and to aid in identification of human remains from a forensic context. She is currently also an honorary lecturer in the Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Laureen has studied human skeletal remains from all periods from the Bronze Age, Early Medieval and the Post-medieval period, concentrating on palaeopathology and weapon trauma.
The human body, and particularly the skeleton, has always been a source of fascination, providing inspiration to artists and being a necessary learning aid for medical students over the centuries. Archaeologists have long experienced a rise in public interest when skeletons are found on an excavation site, not only from schoolchildren wanting to hear the gory details of the deaths of these people, but also from the local community who are amazed to find that their ancestors were closer than they thought. Students from all areas, young and old, continue to find human bone fascinating. It seems that once an interest is sparked, and the depth of information that can be revealed from reading a skeleton is realised, then the osteology student is hooked for life.
Forensic Anthropology is the interpretation of the human skeleton to reconstruct the life of the person. The experiences of a person’s life leave an imprint on their bones and the forensic anthropologist seeks to answer as many questions as possible:
Did they die young or live to an old age?
Did they have a good diet or did they suffer from malnutrition?
How tall did they grow?
Were they quiet and sedentary or did they have a vigorous lifestyle?
Were they afflicted with chronic disease?
Did they inherit traits from their parents?
The above are just some of the questions that can be answered by those with the skills to read bones, and they can reveal fascinating details about the life, and sometimes the death, of a person who lived centuries ago.
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology summary course outline
This two week course consists of a series of lectures and laboratory work. Students will have the opportunity to examine the human skeleton in detail, learn to identify the different bones and discover the wealth of information they contain. Topics covered include
. Introduction to the skeleton and skeletal development
. Determination of Sex, Age and Living Stature
. Congenital Developmental Abnormalities
. Post-mortem or ante-mortem bone changes
. Palaeopathology of Skeletal Remains
University accreditation is pending, participants will be supplied with a certificate of satisfactory completion of the field school.
Dates for 2001 are as follows:
20th June – 1st July
4th-15th July
18th-29th July
Fees:
Fees are inclusive of accommodation which is provided on a self catering basis, a learning pack and log book and the provision of laboratory equipment for use while in attendance. The school runs Monday – Friday inclusive 9am – 4.30pm. Participants are free to explore the beautiful sites and scenary of the Irish Midlands at the weekends or may avail of additional guided tours of sites of interest in the local area for a small additional fee.
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology €1,995
Location:
Accommodation will be provided in Kells, Co Meath and the school will be based in the ADS offices and laboratories in Kells Business Park.
Booking:
A deposit of 50% of the fee payable before 31st March 2011 will secure your booking with the balance due by 1st May 2011. Booking forms and furter details are available by emailing training@adsireland.ie or by contacting Jane Whitaker directly at 00353 866012040.
See the website for these training opportunities at www.adsireland.ie.
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