A preview of the conference programme

The full programme for the EAI conference is still being finalised, but here’s a short preview of what to expect.

There will be talks about how the techniques of environmental archaeology have contributed to our understanding and knowledge of the following topics: climate change in the past, Irish bog bodies, urban settlement in Ireland, agriculture, and the archaeology of Irish woodlands and wetlands.

We’re also delighted to announce that Gill Campbell (Head of Environmental Studies at Historic England) and Chris Caseldine (Professor of Quaternary Environmental Change at the University of Exeter) have agreed to participate  on the day, bringing their extensive experience from working in environmental archaeology in the UK.

Full details will be announced soon. In the meantime, you can register to attend the conference here.

Registration is now open!

Registration for the Environmental Archaeology in Ireland conference, Looking back, moving forward: 70 years of environmental archaeology in Ireland is now open.

Please register to attend the conference through Eventbrite, following this link.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/looking-back-moving-forward-70-years-of-environmental-archaeology-in-ireland-tickets-19315063876

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Looking back, moving forward: 70 years of environmental archaeology in Ireland

It is almost 70 years since the publication of Frank Mitchell’s seminal paper “Evidence of early agriculture” in the Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. In this paper, Mitchell outlined exciting new scientific approaches for investigating agriculture and environments in ancient Ireland. Since the publication of this paper, environmental archaeology in Ireland has grown and flourished. Environmental archaeologists now explore human-environment interactions through the scientific investigation of many different types of remains, including preserved plants, wood, animal bones, insects and other materials. These analyses can reveal what people ate in the past, how they organised their economies, and how people interacted with their local environments and wider landscapes.

Environmental Archaeology Ireland (EAI) is hosting a conference to celebrate 70 years of Irish environmental archaeology on Friday 19^th February 2016 at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin.

This conference will seek to explore how environmental archaeology developed in Ireland, where we are now, and how we can move forward. What are the strengths and expertise in Irish environmental archaeology? Where are the gaps in knowledge and skills? What are the challenges in practice? Through a day of lectures and interactive discussion, this conference will seek to set out a vision for environmental archaeology in 21^st century Ireland.

This conference is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Attendance will be free, but registration will be required. We will open registration in November 2015. Watch this space for further information!