Archaeology
Archaeologists aim to understand past societies and cultures by studying the material evidence they left behind. The modern landscape of Northern Ireland contains evidence of over 9000 years of human activity surviving as archaeological sites and monuments, archaeological objects and maritime remains around our coastline. These range from tombs, castles, churches and settlements to the more personal objects associated with people's day to day lives in the past. Archaeological survey and excavation are two of the main tools employed by archaeologists to discover and record this diverse and often fragile evidence. All the information recorded during an archaeological excavation or survey is submitted to the Sites and Monuments Record,
to improve our knowledge base, be made publicly accessible and contribute towards future research.
Archaeological excavations may be undertaken for various reasons, including for research purposes, as part of conservation repairs to a monument, or in advance of development as a condition of planning approval. Archaeological excavation involves meticulous recording of archaeological objects and remains, but unfortunately through this process archaeological features and layers are destroyed. Archaeological excavations are therefore only carried out as a last resort and it is essential that they are of a high standard and undertaken by suitably qualified personnel. An archaeological excavation licence is required for all archaeological excavations in NI, or to search for archaeological objects. We are the licensing authority in NI and issue 200-300 excavation licenses each year.
Our staff undertake archaeological fieldwork and survey as well as commissioning archaeological surveys and excavations as part of our role to protect, preserve and promote Northern Ireland's archaeological heritage. The Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork (CAF)
undertakes excavation and post-excavation projects as commissioned by the Built Heritage Directorate.
To protect and promote archaeological remains along the coastline and on the seabed the Centre for Maritime Archaeology, in the University of Ulster, Coleraine, carries out surveys of the coastal zone, foreshore and seabed on our behalf, and trains future maritime archaeologists. All the information recorded during their survey work is submitted to the Sites and Monuments Record to ensure our maritime heritage is protected and also to facilitate further research. A freshwater archaeological survey has also recently been established to improve our knowledge and record of archaeological sites associated with rivers, loughs and estuaries, which would have been of huge importance to our previous generations.