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Community Archaeology in Athy, Co. Kildare

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Project: Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, Athy, Co. Kildare.

Year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Client: Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, funded by the Irish Walled Towns Network, The Heritage Council.

Aim: We’ve been carrying out a variety of projects in Athy since 2013. We’ve surveyed the Town Walls and Black Castle Tower using Ground Penetrating Radar and Electrical Resistivity Imaging and used Magnetometry and Electromagnetic Induction surveys at Woodstock Castle.

Community Engagement: We’ve given a number of lectures on our work in Athy at the Athy Heritage Centre Museum, we’ve been visited by local schools and filmed for a short video that documented the surveys for the benefit of the local national school.

Outcomes: The 2013-2016 geophysical surveys have been used to aid the management of the Athy Town Walls and castles in a rapidly developing urban area. For more information on our work at Athy, see our collection of Blogs from Athy.

The Hellfire Club, Dublin

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Magnetometry and a great view of Dublin City from Mountpelier Hill. Image: Abarta Heritage

Magnetometry and a great view of Dublin City from Mountpelier Hill. Image: Abarta Heritage

Project: The Hellfire Archaeology Project

Location: The Hellfire Club, Mountpelier Hill, Co. Dublin

Year: 2014

Client: The Hellfire Club Archaeology Project, on behalf of Abarta Heritage and South Dublin County Council

Aim: The purpose of the survey was to assess two Neolithic Passage Tombs  on top of Mountpelier Hill and the land surrounding the 18th Century Hellfire Club. The site was investigated with high resolution Magnetometer, Electromagnetic Induction and Earth Resistance Surveys, as well as LiDAR.

Community Engagement: 3 volunteers worked with Earthsound geophysicists over 3 days (volunteer labour contribution: €986)

Outcomes: The 2014 geophysical survey results were used to target a series of excavations in 2015 by the Hellfire Club Archaeology Project.

The geophysical survey was carried out as part of The Hellfire Archaeological Project in conjunction with Abarta Heritage. The site is located on top of Montpellier Hill in the Dublin Mountains which affords it a panoramic view of Dublin City and Bay. The summit of Monpellier Hill contains the remains of a hunting lodge built by the politician William Connolly in 1725. Adjacent to this is the probable remains of a prehistoric monument and it is thought that the lodge itself may have been constructed of stone robbed from these monuments.

According to folklore the roof had been blown down by a phantom from one of the tombs and Connolly had the roof reconstructed in stone.  Subsequent to Connolly’s death, the lodge lay in disuse for up to 10 years when it was leased by his widow Katherine to the Earl of Rosse, Richard Parsons. Parsons was a well known socialite and one of the ‘Young Bucks of Dublin’, a group of aristocrats who allegedly engaged in debauchery and possible Devil-worship, essentially what was to become the Hellfire Club. There are no direct accounts of Hellfire Club meetings occurring at Connolly’s Lodge on Montpellier Hill, however it is highly likely owing to its isolated location and association with Parsons.

Annacarty Remembered: RIC Barracks Survey

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Magnetometry survey at the RIC Barracks

Magnetometry survey at the RIC Barracks

Project: Annacarty Remembered: RIC Barracks, Co. Tipperary.

Year: 2016

Client: Wolfhound Archaeology, funded by Tipperary County Council, Ireland 1916-2016 and The Heritage Council.

Aim: In June 2016, we carried out extensive Magnetometer, Electromagnetic Induction, Ground Penetrating Radar, Earth Resistance Surveys and Metal Detection surveys at the RIC Barracks in Annacarty as part of a large commemoration event which was also filmed by RTE’s new television series John Creedon’s Epic East. The film crew were very interested in the geophysical survey and obtained some great drone and GoPro footage of our work.

Community Engagement: 1 volunteer worked with Earthsound geophysicists for 1 day (volunteer labour contribution: €164). The survey was filmed for RTE television and culminated in a large commemoration on the last day of survey, attended by more than 220 people, with Earthsound geophysicists on hand to explain the survey, it’s purpose and findings.

Outcomes: The 2016 geophysical survey culminated in a large commemoration ceremony (see below) attended by local school children and adults, the Army and many local politicians. The survey results will be integrated in to a management plan for the site.

The geophysical surveys were carried out as part of a research project managed by Wolfhound Archaeology, funded by Tipperary County Council, Ireland 1916-2016 and The Heritage Council. The research formed part of the Annacarty Remembers event, which commemorated the events of the War of Independence and Civil War.

The school children lead the procession up the hill towards the Barracks.

School children lead the procession up the hill towards the Barracks.

Annacarty Barracks, which was originally constructed as an RIC barracks in the early 19th Century, saw considerable action during the conflicts prior to the foundation of the Irish state.

In the spring of 1922, the truce had been signed and the barracks handed over to the volunteers. The children of Annacarty N.S. were marched up the hill to the barracks by the principal, Mr. Slattery and sang Amhrán na bhFiann for the volunteers as they raised the tri-colour.

The procession recreated the original event in 1922.

The procession recreated the original event in 1922.

On June 10th 2016, the event was recreated by more than 220 school children, local residents and visitors. The building bears the scars of these battles but is otherwise virtually untouched since it was burnt out after a short but violent siege in 1922 during the Civil War.

The Annacarty Remembers gathering walks up the hill to the Barracks.

The Annacarty Remembers gathering walking up the hill to the Barracks.

The surveys were led by Heather Gimson and supported by Dr James Bonsall, Darren Regan and Cian Hogan, who used various geophysical instruments to map additional structures around the barracks and carried out a detailed photogrammetry survey.

The magnetometer cart at the RIC Barracks

The magnetometer cart at rest by the RIC Barracks while John Creedon does some filming

Recording bullet holes in the wall. In the meantime, the 'Bone Detector' takes a snooze.

Recording bullet holes in the wall. In the meantime, the ‘Bone Detector’ takes a snooze.

Magnetometry and EMI carts

Magnetometry and EMI carts

GPR in action at the RIC Barracks

GPR in action at the RIC Barracks

We enjoyed wonderful hospitality from the people of Annacarty, who really welcomed us to their village. Particular thanks are due to Tom Tuohy, The Parish Shop & Tea Rooms and the Crossroads Pub (which kept us – and the dog – in great health with lots of ice creams and drinks.

NRA/TII Geophysical Guidance Document Now Online

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The use of archaeological geophysics on national road schemes between 2001 and 2010 has been comprehensively reviewed as part of a National Roads Authority (NRA, now known as TII – Transport Infrastructure Ireland) archaeological research project funded through the NRA Fellowship Programme. The study, which was awarded funding in 2010, was carried out by James Bonsall, Dr Chris Gaffney and Professor Ian Armit from the University of Bradford in the UK. Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics acted as the university’s industrial partner in the research.

The research delivered a set of guidelines entitled Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010, which has been used by the NRA/TII to commission new geophysical surveys based on lessons learnt from the study. The document has recently been published online by the NRA/TII and other outlets.

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The guidance document includes:

  • a review of previous geophysical surveys on NRA road schemes,
  • typical geophysical responses to a range of archaeological features, soils and geologies
  • a discussion of the limitations of various methods
  • advice on how to carry out surveys in ‘challenging’ conditions, landscapes and geologies
  • a Specification Key that assists non-geophysicists to determine the most appropriate geophysical technique(s) for a given study area or receiving environment.
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Choice of geophysical survey methods for use on Irish road schemes. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

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Choice of geophysical survey methods for use on Irish road schemes. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

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Idealised performance of geophysical techniques upon principle Irish geologies. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

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Theoretical capability scores for idealised responses of archaeological features. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

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Historic methods of prospection from the 2001-2010 NRA Legacy Data. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

Executive Summary of the Guidance Document

(Bonsall et al. 2014: 1)

This [guidance] document reviews Legacy Data generated from 10 years’ worth of road scheme activity in Ireland to determine how archaeological geophysical surveys could be carried out on national roads in the future. The geophysical surveys were carried out by several different contractors across a range of challenging field conditions, geologies, weather and seasons. The research is based upon the results of linear schemes but also has validity for wider approaches. The findings of this research are based upon the compilation of all terrestrial archaeological geophysical surveys carried out on behalf of the National Roads Authority (NRA), a review of the success or otherwise of those surveys in comparison with ground-observed excavations and in combination with experimental surveys that tested previously held assumptions or knowledge to determine best practice methods for the future.

The use and success of geophysical surveys in Ireland differ quite significantly from those in the UK, from where many of the methods of assessment were derived or adapted. Many of these differences can be attributed to geology. Ireland has a very high percentage of Carboniferous limestone geology, overlain mostly by tills and frequent occurrences of peat. These soils can reduce, to some extent, the effectiveness of magnetometer surveys; the most frequently used geophysical technique in Ireland. However, magnetometer data can be maximised in these cases by increasing the spatial resolution to produce effective results. An increase in spatial resolution is also effective generally, for enhancing the chances of identifying archaeological features by discriminating between archaeological and geological anomalies as well as increasing anomaly definition and visualisation of small and subtle archaeological features.

Outputs of the Research

Other outputs of the NRA Fellowship research have included:

  • A PhD for James Bonsall,  which was awarded in 2014.
  • James was selected as a finalist to present his research at the prestigious Transport Research Arena 2012 conference and was awarded the silver medal in the Environmental Pillar for his presentation.
  • A preliminary review of progress in Issue 6 of Seanda NRA Archaeology Magazine (published in December 2011) and a paper at the 2012 NRA National Archaeology Seminar. This paper, co-authored by James Bonsall, Dr Chris Gaffney and Professor Ian Armit, was published in the subsequent seminar proceedings in autumn 2013.
  • An online database from which NRA-commissioned geophysical reports. The NRA Archaeological Geophysical Survey Database was launched in April 2013 and an article about this important online resource was published in Issue 8 of Seanda.

Related publications

Bonsall, J  2011  ‘Ten years of archaeogeophysics’, Seanda, No. 6, 38–9.

Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I  2013  ‘Back and forth: paving the way forward by assessing 10 years of geophysical surveys on Irish road schemes’, in B Kelly, N Roycroft & M Stanley (eds), Futures and Pasts: archaeological science on Irish road schemes, 1–13. Archaeology and the National Roads Authority Monograph Series No. 10. National Roads Authority, Dublin.

Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I  2014  Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.

Bonsall, J, Sparrow, T, Gaffney, C, Armit, I & Swan, R  2013  ‘Underground, overground’, Seanda, No. 8, 14–15.

Merry Christmas

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We’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, from everyone here at Earthsound.

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Merry Christmas, from Earthsound!

It’s Christmas Eve Eve, and as I sit here writing this, I have the chance to reflect on 2015. It’s certainly been a year of changes. We were joined by Dr Rob Fry on a number of projects (including the largest we’ve ever worked on) in the Spring, when we invested in new staff and the latest state-of-the-art geophysical instruments and soil analysis equipment.

Earthsound2015_2We’ve worked on some fantastic projects this year, including Woodstock Castle (Athy), Lea Castle, the Kinsale Battlefield Project, the Wonderful Barn, the Dowth Estate, we returned to Rathnadrinna Royal Fort and we’ve worked with the School of Irish Archaeology at their amazing new urban outreach project Dublin Uncovered, based in the Liberties. In April we worked in partnership with IT Sligo Applied Archaeology students to survey part of the monastic enclosure at Drumcliff.

As well as our conventional geophysical surveys for both private sector and research projects, we’ve also carried out metal detection surveys and developed our soil analysis services: we’ve collected soils across medieval enclosure complexes (which we’re in the process of analysing, using a variety of geochemical and geoarchaeological techniques) and extensive geophysical and geoarchaeological soil analyses of the ‘mysterious pit fields of Roscommon’ with Sligo-Leitrim Archaeological Services. We’ve also launched our new digitizing service.  Over the last few months, you’ll have been as likely to find us in the field carrying out geophysical surveys as you would to find us auguring, coring or back at the office grinding soils or digitising plan and section drawings. Earthsound2015

We’ve also been out and about on the conference circuit. Earthsound sponsored and attended the Weather Beaten Archaeology Conference at IT Sligo and Earthsound staff attended the Neolithic Ireland: Europe and the Atlantic Conference in Sligo and presented at the European Association of Archaeologists Conference in Glasgow and the 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection in Warsaw, as well as continuing the Earthsound Lecture Series. It’s been an eventful year and we can’t wait to see what 2016 will bring.

Merry Christmas, Everybody and all the Best for 2016!

–James

Dr. James Bonsall, Director

Dr Bonsall’s Tutorial on the Historic Environment Viewer

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Earthsound director Dr James Bonsall gives a brief tutorial on using the new Historic Environment Viewer and gives an overview of some new additions.

Yesterday, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht launched the new Historic Environment Viewer which combines the databases of the National Monuments Service Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), and replaces the previous National Monuments Viewer.

New features include:

  • Enhanced Query and Draw Functions
  • Architectural Heritage
  • High quality Digital Globe aerial photographs

Lecture at Kilmovee Community Centre: ‘Archaeology of Kilcashel’

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Archaeology of Kilcashel.

Dr James Bonsall, director of Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics and Lecturer at IT Sligo gave a talk on the latest findings from the Kilcashel Landscape Project at the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series on Tuesday December 15th, in the Kilmovee Community Centre, Co. Mayo.

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Dr James Bonsall talks at the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series about the Kilcashel Landscape Project at Kilmovee.

James’ talk focused on the range of archaeological sites in Kilcashel, from Bronze Age fulacht fia to medieval cashels and 19th century mud cabins.

James was also interested in people’s use,  experience or memories of the archaeological sites in Kilcashel townland – the cashels that are no longer there, Father Henry’s Fort and any other memories of buildings, archaeology and folklore. These all contributed to a Database of Archaeology in Kilcashel townland, which led to the longest Q&A session in the history of the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series!

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Woodstock Castle, Athy, Co. Kildare

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Yesterday, Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics had the pleasure of returning to Athy in County Kildare to carry out magnetometry and electromagnetic induction surveys at Woodstock Castle. This is the latest in a number of projects that we have carried out in Athy over the past few years, which have included geophysical and LiDAR investigations of the historic Town Walls and Black Castle Tower which have been a part of the ongoing efforts of the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum to inform locals and visitors alike on the wonderful history of their town! rsz_wp_20151015_12_30_52_pro__highres

Cian Hogan and Darren Regan of the Earthsound Field Division braved a cold October morning to survey the environs of the castle. Darren was filmed for a short video that documented the surveys for the benefit of the local national school.

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We love returning to Athy each year to add a little bit more knowledge to the development of this important medieval town and this is just the latest in a long line of projects for the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum!

Since the year 2013, Earthsound have had an ongoing relationship with the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum in connection with The South Kildare Medieval Heritage Project on a variety of projects which encompass geophysical surveys, historical research and public outreach campaigns.  The first project we engaged in involved a number of geophysical surveys in order to detect the location and morphology of the historic town halls, an investigation we returned to again in another area of the town in October of 2016. The work carried out in October 2016 involved the use of Ground Penetrating Radar and led to the discovery of a number of significant anomalies such as possible walls, defensive structures and remains associated with a mortuary site.

As part of these ongoing projects, Earthsound has spoken and given demonstrations at a number of community activities based in the town in order to explain the work we have carried out and to hopefully give a greater understanding to the residents of the archaeological and historical heritage that surrounds them.

Athy is part of the Irish Walled Towns Network and Earthsound have undertaken similar studies on Cashel Walled Town and Castledermot Walled Town.

Earthsound attend the 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection

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Earthsound directors Dr. James Bonsall and Heather Gimson flew over to the University of Warsaw this week to participate in the 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection.

James presented a paper based on his PhD research, You know it’s summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer: Analysing repetitive time-lapse earth resistance data to determine ‘optimal’ survey climate conditions. Earthsound were the Industrial Partner in the research which was carried out by James and the University of Bradford. Earthsound provided equipment and logistical support for the investigation while Earthsound surveyor Darren Regan assisted James every month for the 14 month long time-lapse earth resistance survey carried out at Tuam, Co. Galway. The investigation examined the impact of weather on the outcomes of earth resistance surveys on behalf of the archaeology section of the National Roads Authority. The paper was live tweeted – here are some of the highlights:

James was also a co-author (with Chrys Harris et al.) on High Royds: An integrated, analytical approach for mapping the unmarked burials of a pauper cemetery, a paper that examined the differing properties of graves that were mapped (and/or unmapped) via magnetometry, multiple earth resistance arrays, electromagnetic induction and ground penetrating radar.

Both papers are now published in Archaeologia Polona Vol. 53, a special edition of the journal containing the conference proceedings.

James was tweeting (as @DrJamesBonsall) throughout the Conference, which you can follow via #ISAP2015 or read tweets from the whole event via a Storify Archive by Dr. Kayt Armstrong.

Surveying the Neolithic Shell Middens of the Shelly Valley

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Come and see the archaeological excavation and survey in the Shelly Valley tomorrow. Meet the archaeologists from IT Sligo, University of Georgia and Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics who are investigating the prehistoric midden complex. We’ll be at the base of the Big Dune, Strandhill at 4pm!

Earthsound are part of a team of international archaeologists carrying out a cutting edge geoarchaeological survey to unlock the secrets of prehistoric sites at Strandhill. Katharine Napora from The University of Georgia in the U.S. and Dr. James Bonsall, director of Earthsound and a lecturer in Applied Archaeology at IT Sligo, are examining prehistoric midden sites in the Shelly Valley, in a project funded by National Geographic.

Middens – mounds of shells, bone and charcoal – are ancient refuse heaps built from the remains of discarded food waste. The Shelly Valley – named after the middens – is home to a large number of these sites which are believed to date to the Neolithic and are visible at the base of the dune.  “Many people visit Strandhill and the Shelly Valley to see the large dunes, but most don’t realise that they are actually walking across a prehistoric landscape” says Dr. Bonsall.

Katharine Napora’s research will compare the Sligo middens with similar sites on the east coast of America. Dr. Bonsall, his IT Sligo students and Earthsound are using the latest geophysical and high resolution mapping methods to ‘see beneath the sands’ to map the extent of the middens. Katharine Napora will be using a combination of analytical geoarchaeological techniques on the middens to unlock their secrets. “We’re hoping to find out how old the different middens are, if they were constructed at the same time, how long they were used for and what types of food our ancestors were eating” says Katharine.

Katharine would like to invite any interested people to come out this Sunday, June 7th, at 4 pm to the Shelly Valley (the Big Dune) at Strandhill Beach to learn about how the latest technologies are being integrated into modern archaeological research. Visitors can see a National Geographic-sponsored project in action as we investigate through geoarchaeology how past inhabitants of Strandhill interacted with the ocean and its resources.