Freshwater Archaeology in Northern Ireland: A new research initiative

Northern Ireland has a significant freshwater environment and past investigations (for the most part dredgings) of riverine and lacustrine locations have resulted in the discovery of a range of archaeological structures, sites and artefactual remains. Indeed, some of the most iconic metalwork from Northern Ireland has come from underwater environments, including the La Tène ‘Bann disc’, the logo of the Ulster Museum.

The NIEA has the authority to protect the archaeological resource inherent in freshwater environments under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. In addition Planning Policy Statement 6 (1999) aims to protect archaeological remains in situ and oversee responsible development. To date no coherent attempt has been made to collate existing records of archaeological material, sites and structures from freshwater environments in Northern Ireland, making it difficult for NIEA to develop an appropriate and coherent protection strategy.

A new research post, tasked with creating a baseline survey of the freshwater archaeology of Northern Ireland, has been set up by the NIEA in conjunction with the Centre for Maritime Archaeology (CMA). The post, which commenced in December 2008, is hosted by the Environmental Sciences Research Institute (ESRI) at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. Until now, the work of the CMA has largely been restricted to the maritime zone. With the employment of a dedicated person for the freshwater environment, the Centre can now address freshwater inquiries, consultations and immediate threats to the archaeological resource. This initiative marks the first step in undertaking integrated management action to assess and protect the freshwater archaeological resource; thus enabling the NIEA to fulfil the commitments of its mission statement by protecting, conserving and promoting Northern Ireland’s underwater cultural heritage.

In the first phase, this research project will examine the archaeological potential of Northern Ireland’s great rivers – the Bann, Foyle, Erne, Blackwater and Lagan, and their associated tributaries. An examination of the archaeological potential of Ulster’s lacustrine environment will follow. The research will focus on core themes, such as, riverine crossing points, settlement, rivers as boundaries and defences, the utilisation of rivers for transport and the conscious control of rivers for purposes of navigation, fishing, abstraction and power. Broader research questions associated with the wider river drainage basin or catchment will also be explored.

The archaeological information gathered from research and accompanying programmes of fieldwork will, in the first instance, be collated and presented in a GIS data set. This work will ultimately help the future preservation and conservation of riverine archaeological sites in Northern Ireland and outline fields for future multi-disciplinary research.

For further information contact Rory McNeary (Research Associate in Freshwater Archaeology) at r.mcneary@ulster.ac.uk

GIS analysis of proximity relationships between river courses and established monument records – a useful management tool.

A recent logboat find from the River Foyle at Strabane, Co. Tyrone (Feb. 2009).

Distribution of known logboats in N. Ireland (after Fry 2000, with additions courtesy of Fry).

Note: Click on any of the images above if you wish to see the High Resolution version.