Aerial Archaeology in Ireland - The Heritage Council

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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Background What is Aerial Archaeology? Aerial archaeology is the practice of using aircraft (or, in some cases, satellites) to provide a high-level view of the historic environment based on conventional photography and a range of remote sensing technologies. It is relevant to all stages of archaeological work — reconnaissance, interpretation, analysis, publication and dissemination, and is one amongst many methods. All periods, from the Neolithic to the present day, are potential subjects of interest. Aerial archaeology relates to all forms of survival (cropmarks, soilmarks, earthworks, structures, buildings, landscapes and townscapes). It is useful for research, conservation, development control (both strategic and site-specific), education and public outreach. It has a uniquely sensitive capability of recording evidence of the past at a landscape scale — and is applicable to all landscape types. History of Irish Aerial Archaeology The first application of aerial archaeology in Ireland was a 1927 initiative of the Ancient Monuments Board in Northern Ireland working with the RAF. Raftery (1944) cited the first use of archaeological air photography in the Republic in 1934, and called for ‘proper collaboration in surveying… archaeological sites all over this country’. In the 1950s, the National Monuments Advisory Council commissioned aerial archaeological surveys by the Air Corps. J.K. St Joseph undertook two main campaigns of flying in Ireland — in 1951-5, and more particularly 1963-73. From the 1970s onwards, much has been done by the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Office of Public Works (now the National Monuments Section/NMS of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government), and individuals (the late L. Swan, D. Pochin Mould, G. Barrett and others). From the 1980s onwards, aerial archaeology has been carried out increasingly in the context of research through the Discovery Programme and some academic initiatives, enhancement of the national Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), and development-led archaeology for pipelines and road schemes. Making the Most of Aerial Archaeology The Irish archaeological resource is characterised by a wide variety of field monuments. Aerial archaeology is an excellent means of identifying less well-known and hidden aspects of monuments, carrying out surveys, and research and presenting Ireland’s rich heritage to the public. Recent pre-development archaeological work has continued to highlight the large numbers of sites and monuments with little or no above-ground visibility that, in many cases, are unlikely to be revealed by other methods. The use of aerial survey for coastal and marine heritage is also increasingly important. In the face of the pressure of major development and land-use change but limited resources for new survey, the rapid technical developments in aerial survey make it a crucial and increasingly cost-effective means of detecting sites and monuments to enhance the archaeological record, carrying out basic surveys, and monitoring the condition of monuments. It is also an ideal means of recording the historic character of the Irish countryside and many urban areas. Accordingly, aerial archaeology has a fundamental role to play in the discovery, management and presentation of Ireland’s heritage. 13
14 Key Priorities for Aerial Archaeology in Ireland Following a public seminar in December 2005 and a lengthy period of consultation in 2006, the following priorities have been identified: 1. Establish a steering group to champion the value of aerial archaeology and develop initiatives to progress the work identified in this report (Recommendation 1). 2. Provide an online guide and improved access to existing sources of aerial photography and remote sensing (Recommendation 2). 3. Do more to define and promote best practice standards and provide training (Recommendations 3 and 10). 4. Reinforce and supplement the work of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland to enhance the capture of existing data and undertake new reconnaissance (Recommendations 4, 5, 7 and 8). Work undertaken in these areas, or developing from them, will also have major benefits for improved strategic collaboration in the management of environmental change. This includes the potential for attracting more partnership funding through strategic studies (Recommendations 4, 5, 7 and 8). There are also likely to be benefits for the development of inter-disciplinary approaches to conservation and research (Recommendation 6) and greater public awareness of Ireland’s heritage (Recommendation 9). The main possible initiatives identified in relation to each recommendation, as well as those listed at the end of this summary, are intended to be of strategic value in making the most of the particular strengths of aerial archaeology for a variety of purposes. It is unlikely that all of the suggested action points under each recommendation could be pursued simultaneously. It is important to note, however, that enhanced benefits are likely to be gained through an integrated approach. The benefits of pursuing such initiatives would extend far beyond the restricted confines of this particular methodological approach. Co-ordination and Development of New Initiatives It was not within the scope of this study to initiate the discussions that would be necessary to develop the suggested action points needed to pursue each recommendation. The first key point is to establish the means by which such initiatives can be developed. The Heritage Council needs to play a key role in developing this in collaboration with other bodies. Recommendation 1: Establish a Steering Group to co-ordinate initiatives which maximise the public benefits to be gained from aerial archaeology, both for knowledge and understanding, and the conservation and management of the historic environment in Ireland. • The range of suggested initiatives will maximise the public benefits of aerial archaeology in a manner that is fully integrated with broader research, conservation and outreach objectives. These initiatives will need to be developed and co-ordinated by a small group of specialists who are charged with developing outward-looking, interdisciplinary and collaborative projects which are supported by multiple sources of funding. Key organisations — Heritage Council; Royal Irish Academy; NMS
Page 1 and 2: A I R A N D E A R T H A E R I A L A
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74 Roles and potential for historic
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78 Figures 41 a-b: Gillian Barrett
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80 The Archaeology of Lakes, Coast
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86 Roads The National Roads Authori
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88 Pipelines The general principles
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90 General Development Where there
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92 ‘…numerous sites in pasture
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96 Designed Landscapes and Conserva
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102 5 QUALITY, RESOURCES AND ORGANI
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104 Estimates of costs per site or
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106 ago in England, may have meant
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108 6 TEACHING AND TRAINING 6.1 Cov
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112 Benson, D and Miles, D 1974. Th
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114 Doody, M G, 1995. ‘Ballyhoura
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116 Twohig and M. Ronayne (eds) Pas
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118 Raftery, J, 1951. Prehistoric I
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120 Colin Shell Cambridge Universit
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Aerial Archaeology in Ireland - The Heritage Council

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