Aerial Archaeology in Ireland - The Heritage Council

18
• A series of pilot studies covering different types of development threats and different areas should be
developed. In collaboration with, and partly funded by, relevant regulatory authorities and industry, these
studies would examine the value of, and establish basic methodologies for, the review of aerial archaeology
as a key means of enhancing baseline knowledge of areas potentially affected by development.
Key organisations — DoEHLG (Planning and NMS); relevant local authorities; relevant industry representative
bodies; other specialist bodies
Rural Land-use Planning and Monitoring Monument Condition
The Archaeological Features at Risk Surveys (AFARS) grant-aided by the Heritage Council, as well as other surveys of monument
condition commissioned by the NMS, have emphasised the pressures on many rural areas from non-development changes in
land use. These studies highlight the need for better monitoring of pressures created by land-use change and the need to monitor
the condition of sites and monuments. The destruction of known sites has accelerated dramatically, often as the result of land
improvements for intensive farming. The potential contribution of aerial archaeology emphasises that SMR and Inventories of
monuments are only starting points for assessing the whole historic environment of a land holding, especially since reviews of
existing air photographs and/or new reconnaissance are likely to reveal significantly more sites. Aerial archaeology provides a
more holistic perspective on the historic character of the landscape, in terms of both extant and relict features — including field
patterns. The quality of both satellite imagery and low-altitude aerial photography (such as that undertaken to illustrate the
Inventories and research projects) indicates that there is a potential for condition monitoring.
Recommendation 8: Aerial archaeology’s potential contribution to achieving a better understanding of
the historic character, and to monitoring the condition of the rural and maritime environment, should be
developed to identify needs for future management.
• Remote sensing and low-level aerial surveys should be carried out to: (a) enhance previous monument
condition surveys; (b) develop methods for nationwide monitoring of rural environment pressures; and
(c) monitor adherence to Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) agreements.
Key organisations — DoEHLG and the Heritage Council, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture
and Food
• The results of recent surveys of inshore waters and coastal areas should be reviewed to consider the
implications for incorporating results into the Record of Monuments and Places and developing a
strategy for the management of coastal and maritime heritage.
Key organisations — DoEHLG Underwater Archaeology Unit; Heritage Council; in collaboration with the
Geological Survey of Ireland and Marine Institute
Publication and Public Outreach
This study has found examples of excellent exhibitions and publications which make good use of aerial archaeology and which
are clearly appreciated by the public. However, it is noted that Norman and St Joseph (1969) commented on the limited use of
aerial archaeology in two standard text books — and the latest equivalents are, if anything, worse. Archaeological textbooks and
books for the general reader could make more use of the results of aerial archaeology.