26th June to 4th August 2023
SS106 + SS107 + SS108: 18 ECTS / 9 Semester Academic Credits awarded. Course fees include tuition, accommodation in our superior, fully equipped self-catering building, materials, local transport, lectures and seminars as well as academic credit.
Dates: 26th June – 4th August 2023
Duration: Six weeks
Cost: €5500
Special Offer!
Enrol on this course by 1st March to get a free one-day tour of archaeological sites in Sligo.
This course is fully accredited by the University of Galway, and students who successfully complete the course will receive 9 Semester Credits or 18 ECTS points.
- SS106: Introduction to Archaeology of Ireland
- SS107: Archaeological Field Studies
- SS108: Data Analysis (3 Semester Credits/6 ECTS Credits)
SS106: Introduction to Archaeology of Ireland (3 Semester Credits/6 ECTS Credits)
On site work during the first element of the course introduces the student to the basic techniques of archaeological excavation, including laying out trenches, removing overburden, and excavating archaeological deposits with a variety of hand tools. Lectures introduce the Chronology of Irish Archaeology whilst a series of workshops develop the students understanding of the principles of excavation.
SS107: Archaeological Field Studies (3 Semester Credits/6 ECTS Credits)
On site work during the second element introduces the student to the methods of onsite recording of archaeological features and deposits, including section drawing, elevation drawing, horizontal planning, working within a site grid, surveying, using an auto level and the EDM, and taking site photography. Lectures complete the Chronology of Irish Archaeology whilst workshops focus on post excavation skills such as managing site archives, writing stratigraphic reports and preparing AutoCad drawings.
SS108: Data Analysis (3 Semester Credits/6 ECTS Credits)
Field work during the final element sees the completion of the excavation and its post excavation restoration and then introduces the student to a broad range of subjects involving archaeological sites and their setting in the landscape, such as upland surveys, identifying new sites, recording standing monuments and analysing inter-site relationships and morphological settings. Lectures review the development of the discipline of Archaeology in Ireland and the ethical challenges facing the archaeological profession in the early 3rd Millennium whilst workshops focus on preparing the work so far undertaken for final publication.
At this time we only require an application from prospective students. A firm commitment, in the form of a deposit, will be required when your course is confirmed.
Study Archaeology at the home of the Banshees
Achill Island, the home of Achill Archaeological Field School, was the main location for the 2022 award-winning movie The Banshees of Inisherin. The spectacular landscapes seen in the movie showcase the beauty of Achill Island, your location for your 2023 archaeology course. Read more about the Banshees of Inisherin locations on Achill Island.
About the 2023 Dig Site
The 2022 season of excavations at Tawnaghmore raised more questions than answers. We were surprised to find that the two houses excavated had been remodelled and rebuilt on three separate occasions, suggesting intermittent periods of occupation of the site. The houses (House 1 and House 2) are ovoid in shape externally. House No. 1 has a corbelled interior while House No. 2 is more-or-less rectangular in shape.
A major find in 2022 was the discovery of a large enclosure with a total area of approximately 6042.931m 2 south-west of the main settlement at Tawnaghmore. The enclosure contains House 17 (Tawnaghlaur) at its south-west corner and an associated small patch of lazy-beds (cultivation ridges) to the north-east. Two additional houses in the multi-period site at Tawnaghmore/Tawnaghlaur, together with the Tawnaghlaur enclosure, associated house and lazy beds will be the focus of excavation in 2023 … an exciting season ahead!
