Introduction - The Challenge of Archaeology
Mission Statement
The role of the ICF Archaeology Service is to implement the Archaeological Code of Practice agreed with Government as a framework within which ICF members are enabled to continue their operations whilst avoiding impacts on archaeological heritage.
The Project Archaeologist
Dr. Charles Mount is the Project Archaeologist with the Irish Concrete Federation. He holds an M.A. in archaeology (UCD 1989), a PH.D. in archaeology (NUI 1998) and an M.B.A. (OU 2002). He is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. He has worked as a field archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and as the Archaeological Officer of the Heritage Council. Dr. Mount has directed excavations throughout Ireland and has published more than fifty papers and articles in Irish and international periodicals.
Archaeology Services
The ICF provides archaeology services to members at all stages of the development process from land selection and acquisition through the planning process and land clearance stages.
Land Acquisition
When considering acquiring land for development the developer should have it assessed for recorded archaeological monuments. The presence of significant archaeological sites or deposits can be grounds for denial of planning consent. If planning permission is granted implementing conditions for preservation by record can add immensely to the costs of developing a quarry. Acquiring lands with no archaeological sites or deposits will avoid these risks and costs. If there are sites on the land then it will be in the interests of the developer to commission an archaeological assessment as early as possible. The ICF can assist in this process.
.jpg "Monument")
A large enclosure, close to centre of photograph, which has been avoided by quarrying.
The Planning Process
Developers may be requested by the Planning Authority to carry out an Archaeological Assessment, or it may form part of the EIS. An archaeological assessment should involve, as appropriate: documentary research, field walking, examination of upstanding or visible features or structures, examination of existing or new aerial photographs or satellite or other remote sensing imagery, geophysical survey, topographical assessment, general consideration of the archaeological potential of the area or areas affected by the development based on their environmental characteristics, or archaeological testing. It is not in the interests of the developer to proceed without this vital information (it is likely that the planning authority will require it anyway) and they should ensure that the work is carried out thoroughly and to a high standard, as the work will produce information vital to the decision-making process. The ICF can prepare the specification for an archaeological assessment or prepare the assesment itself.
Fulfilling Planning and Section 261 Conditions
Industry encounters archaeological planning conditions on a regular basis. Once planning permission is received, members should check the conditions carefully. If members have archaeological conditions that they are unfamiliar with then they should contact the ICF project Archaeologist who will assist.
Moving on the implementation of archaeological conditions as early as possible is the key to preparing detailed project briefs and organizing competitive tendering. If monitoring is required it will also allow time to resolve any material identified during monitoring.
The ICF has developed a cost effective archaeological project management system for its members encompassing the preparation of detailed work briefs, competitive tendering, and contract preparation and project oversight. The aim is to provide industry members with the assurance that the archaeological work carried out is necessary and appropriate, the costs are competitive and performance is high.
Project Guidelines & Procedures
To download the Guidelines for ICF Archaeological Projects" Click here
Publications
To download the ICF Archaeological Guide Click here
Useful information
Record of Monuments and Places (RMP): the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) produces for each county a Record (RMP), which enables developers to judge what developments affect an archaeological site or monument, and Local Authorities to refer them under the Planning Regulations to the (DoEHLG) Any works at or in relation to a Recorded Monument requires two months notice to DoEHLG under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994; and an alteration to a pre-1700 A.D. building in a Zone of Archaeological Potential defined in the RMP is likely to face a similar requirement. The RMP does not provide for any yet unidentified archaeological sites and monuments. Protection of these may become a particular concern in cases of large-scale development involving extensive ground disturbance. The archaeological implications of a proposed development should not be determined exclusively on the basis of the RMP. All RMP sites have legal protection. The RMP may be consulted in local authority offices, in DoEHLG head office and in county libraries.
.png "RMP Map")
A detail of an RMP map. Black circles enclose known sites or monuments.
Geophysical survey: non-disturbance survey methods involving one or more of the following; electrical resistivity, various types of magnetometry and ground penetrating radar. This technology is constantly being improved and its effectiveness depends on ground and soil conditions and on the suitability of the particular technology used to those conditions in the area involved. To date geophysical survey has produced best results in rural settings, but future research will likely improve its application to deep and urban deposits.
.jpg "Geophsical Investigation")
A geophysical investigation in progress.
Preservation by record: 'Preservation by record requires that as a minimum a complete and meaningful record is preserved of all archaeological deposits, features and information likely to be damaged as a result of . . . development. Such archaeological excavation to mitigate the impact of development is known as rescue excavation.'
Excavation: as an archaeological term, excavation means manual and mechanical excavation by an archaeologist-led team with specific objectives as regards information, preservation, recording, etc. It is distinct from trial borings, trial pits and slit trenching, which are exploratory activities prior to or instead of excavation. It is distinct from excavation in the sense of digging foundations or drainage trenches, as it involves recording in situ what is found, and compiling a post-excavation report. The Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation sets down policy on licensing of excavations, and guidelines for licensees on strategies and method statements, reports and publications.
Perseveration in situ: refers to the actual physical preservation of archaeological sites and monuments, including archaeological deposits, features and structures.
ICF Sponsored Archaeology Projects
This gallery contains images of a number of ICF sponsored archaeology projects
.jpg "Platin")
Platin, Co. Meath
Excavations sponsored by Irish cement and carried out at Platin, Co. Meath in 2004 and 2005 uncovered the foundations of a rectangular Neolithic house.
.jpg "Brownstown 2")
Brownstown, Co. Kildare
Excavations sponsored by Kilsaran Concrete and carried out by Aegis Archaeology at Brownstown, Co. Kildare uncovered an unusual rectangular Early medieval enclosure in 2003 and 2004.
.jpg "Kilrainey")
Kilrainy, Co. Kildare
Excavations sponsored by Kilsaran Concrete and carried out by Aegis Archaeology at Kilrainy Co. Kildare uncovered a Bronze Age burial mound known as a barrow overlooking the River Bone.
.jpg "Powerstown")
Powerstown, Co. Kilkenny
Excavations sponsored by Kilcarrig Quarries Ltd and carried out by Arch-Tech. Ltd in soo4 uncovered a medieval Corn drying kiln near Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.
.jpg "Ballahacommane")
Ballahacommane, Co. Kerry
Excavations sponsored by M.F. Quirke & Sons and carried out by Aegis Archaeology uncovered a number of post-Medieval hut sites on a hillside near Killarney.
.jpg "Knockmant")
Knockmant, Co. Westmeath
During quarrying at Knockmant an employee of B.D. Flood noticed a burial in the quarry face and quickly contacted the Garda and the national Monuments Service who removed the burial for further study.
.jpg "Brownstown 1")
A Burial enclosure under excavation at Brownstown, Co. Kildare in 2007.
.jpg "Aerial Photo")
Aerial Photography
Aerial photography is a very useful technique in assessing the archaeological impact of quarrying. Below is an example of photography specially commissioned in 2004 to assess a site in Roscommon.
.png "Church Hill")
New finds
During an assessment of a quarry at Church Hill Co. Offaly a rotary quern was identified at a nearby ecclesiastical site. The find is now in the national Museum of Ireland and has been published in JRSAI.
Useful Links
Return to top of page
