Environmental Archaeology in Ireland

Eileen M. Murphy and Nicki J. Whitehouse (eds).

Paperback 306 p, illus and tables (Oxbow Books 2007).Publishers' price € 48.


This edited volume of 16 papers provides an introduction to the techniques and methodologies, approaches and potential of environmental archaeology within Ireland. Each of the 16 invited contributions focuses on a particular aspect of environmental archaeology and include such specialist areas as radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, palaeoentomology, human osteoarchaeology, palynology and geoarchaeology, thereby providing a comprehensive overview of environmental archaeology within an Irish context. The inclusion of pertinent case studies within each chapter will heighten awareness of the profusion of high standard environmental archaeological research that is currently being undertaken on Irish material. The book will provide a key text for students and practitioners of archaeology, archaeological science and palaeoecology.

Introduction (Eileen M Murphy and Nicki J Whitehouse)
SECTION I - DATING
Radiocarbon Dating: A Practical Overview (Philip Barratt and Paula J Reimer)
Dendrochronology and Lessons Learned from Irish Examples (David M Brown and Michael G L Baillie)
The Use of Tephra in Linking European Sequences of Terrestrial, Lacustrine, Marine and Ice Palaeoenvironmental Records (Jon R Pilcher)
SECTION II - HUMANS and ANIMALS
Human Osteoarchaeology in Ireland (Eileen M Murphy)
Mammal Bones from Prehistoric Irish Sites (Finbar McCormick)
Exploitation of Birds and Fish in Historic Ireland: A Brief Review of the Evidence (Sheila Hamilton-Dyer)
Molluscs and Middens: The Archaeology of 'Ireland's Early Savage Race'? (Emily V Murray)
The Study of Fossil Insect Remains in Environmental and Archaeological Investigations: An Irish Perspective (Nicki J Whitehouse)
SECTION III - PLANTS
Environmental Archaeology in Ireland: A Personal and Archaeobotanical Perspective (Michael Monk)
Wood and Charcoal Research in Ireland (Ingelise Stuijts)
The Study of Non-wood Plant Macro-remains: Investigating Past Societies and Landscapes (Meriel McClatchie)
Pollen Analysis and Archaeology in Ireland (Gill Plunkett)
SECTION IV - APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Alluvial Geoarchaeology in Ireland (Anthony G Brown, Gerard Aalbersberg, Martin Thorp and Peter Glanville)
Multi-proxy Approaches to Palaeohydrological Investigations of Raised Bogs in Ireland: A Case Study from Derryville, Co. Tipperary (Christopher J Caseldine and Benjamin R Gearey)
Exploring the Role of Environment in Wetland Archaeological Contexts in Ireland (Gill Plunkett and Conor McDermott)
SECTION V - LEGISLATION
Heritage Legislation and Environmental Archaeology in Ireland (John Ó Néill)