Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011

Introduction
This report reviews the work carried out as part of the Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North
Mayo (NBNM) project in 2011. The NBNM project will bring to final publication critically important
aspects of the Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology of North County Mayo, specifically Caulfield’s
survey and excavation in Belderrig; survey/excavation by varied parties at ‘Céide Fields’; Byrne’s
survey and excavation at Rathlackan and Dunne’s survey work in Pollatomas.
The buried landscapes of the Céide Fields are iconic for Irish archaeology, of international
significance and were included on the Irish tentative list of World Heritage Sites. According to this
designation the Céide Fields and associated landscapes have ‘outstanding universal value’:
“The significance of the Céide Fields lies in the fact that along with their associated megalithic
monuments and dwelling structures they provide a unique farmed landscape from Neolithic times.
Not only are they "an outstanding example" but they are the outstanding example of human
settlement, land‐use and interaction with environment in Neolithic times. The first adoption of
farming occurred at different times throughout the world. Nowhere else is there such extensive
physical remains of a Neolithic farmed landscape surviving from this significant period in prehistory.”
(http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5524/: original emphasis)
The current project extends the success of the Céide Fields work in outreach and attempts to
remedy the lack of full academic publication of this material, which is recognized as of international
significance. Our initial proposed model for the project has been a three year project resulting in:
- an academic monograph detailing the results of survey, excavation and further specialist work
carried out in the region
- a book targeted at the general public outlining the nature, significance and future of these
archaeological landscapes
Two phases of work with INSTAR funding have been completed to date following a preliminary
phase in 2008, supported by the Heritage Council’s unpublished excavations grant; in 2009 registers
for artefacts and samples and stratigraphic reports were generated. In 2010 specialist analyses of
artefacts and assessments of environmental data were undertaken, along with some illustration of
artefacts and C14 dating. Digitising of extant plans was undertaken and a robust spatial framework
provided for same. In 2011 we made a minor modification to our proposed timeline, recognising the
considerable complexity of some of the sites. We proposed to complete substantial components of
the final volume, including full reports on the excavations at and near the main part of the Céide
Fields complex – the area immediately surrounding the Céide Fields Visitor Centre (‘Céide Hil). In
2012 we will complete the reports for Belderg Beg and Rathlackan and finalise synthesis and
interpretation. We are providing two reports for INSTAR. This document collates all draft texts and
reports produced this year – it is not intended for public consumption. It is accompanied by a
substantial report on the excavations at Céide Hill which can be published on line.
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