Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Research Framework Consultation Draft
December 2008
Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Research Framework
Consultation draft December 2008
Monday 12th January 2009
Section 1 – Introduction
Section 2 – Resource Assessment A A A Section 3 – Research Agenda Section 4 – Research Strategy Appendices to be included in final document to be included in final document to be included in final document References
Maps
Introduction The Research Framework Why a Research Framework? A A A A Review of Research Needs in Irish Archaeology overarching aim of developing a relevant research agenda [for archaeology] and the broadest possible dissemination of knowledge in the most accessible manner Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Management Plan ‘to establish key priorities for research which will provide a greater understanding of the site’s broad range of archaeological monuments What is a Research Framework? A A A A A
A A A A A
A A land-use The project A A A A A A
Brú na Bóinne in context A A A A A A International importance Background to inscription A A A A A A
A A A Protection A A A A A
History of research
A the coin proving it ancienter than any Invasion of the Ostmans or Danes, and the carving and rude sculpture, barbarous; it should follow, that it was some place of sacrifice or burial of the ancient Irish A A Danes- Mount being three in number, shew they were dedicated to the deities of the three prime idols, religiously adored by all the nations of the north two dead bodies entire… in likelihood the reliques of a husband and his wife” a family monument for some great Danish prince, that chose to be interred near his country-dwelling, that might be hereabouts, as the word seems to imply A A A a very large tumulus or barrow, under which (report says) there is a cove like that at New Grange. It is now improved into a garden mount, planted with trees; and on the top of it is a modern ornamental temple a circle of unhewn stones set on end with the
remains of a Kistvaen forming the north side thereof…undoubtedly an erection of Druid superstition the of an oval camp which is certainly Danish A works of the old Scotti, prior to the arrival of the Cymmerigh in Britain A singular temple’ ‘Celtic or Belgic tribes who poured in upon us from the Continent of Gaul ‘Puerile, and scarcely deserving of serious notice’ allow the ancient Irish the honour of erecting a work of such vast labour and grandeur A The beauties of the Boyne and its tributary, the Blackwater A A
State care A A A A A A New Grange (Brugh na Bóinne) and other incised Tumuli in Ireland A A A
The Bord Fáilte years A A A
A A A Introduction A (FIG XX). A
1991; 2002, 34) Recent research longue durée Newgrange and the Bend of the Boyne e.g. A Current Initiatives A A
A
Mesolithic et al A Neolithic
Early Neolithic A A et al A A
A Current Initiatives e.g. A A A e.g. A A A
Middle Neolithic A
et al e.g. A et al A et al et al A A e.g. A A A e.g.
A A A e.g. A A ibid. A ibid
ibid A A A
A A A Late Neolithic A A et al A
A A e.g. A et al A c A A e.g. A A A et al A A
A A e.g. A e.g.
A A
Bronze Age A A et al A A A
A A A et al A A A ibid A A A A A A A A A A e.g A
Iron Age A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Annals of the Four Masters A A
Early Christian period A A A A A A
Rí Cnogba A A A e.g. A A A ibid.
i.e. Life of Patrick Collectanea A A A A A Brug Senchus na Relec Brug
dindshenchas Brug Book of Ballymote A A A Annals of the Four Masters Continental monasticism A A A A A
A A A A et al et al A A
et al
The Anglo-Normans A A A A A A A
A A A A A A A Reform and rebellion – the 16th and 17th centuries A A
A et al A e.g. et al et al
Economy and industry: the 18th century onwards A A termini ante quos A Tour of Ireland e.g.
A Primary Valuation of Property Griffith’s Valuation Griffith’s Valuation A Griffith’s Valuation A A
A Developing an agenda A • • • • • A People 1. Who were the first people to occupy the Brú na Bóinne landscape and what was the nature of this presence? A A
2. How were people disposing of their dead in Brú na Bóinne in earlier prehistory?
3. Where did the passage tomb builders live? A 4. Who was occupying and using the Brú na Bóinne landscape during the Bronze Age? A A A A A A 5. What was the nature of the Iron Age (including Roman) presence in Brú na Bóinne?
A A A
A A A 6. How can we make the human (and animal) remains speak? A A A
7. What was the nature of medieval and post-medieval tenant populations and how were they settled within the landscape? A Politics and Power 8. When are passage tombs first built in Brú na Bóinne and what is their sequence of construction?
9. At what scales did the Brú na Bóinne megalithic complex operate? A A 10. When and why did the focus of activity switch from the passage tombs to large open- air enclosures? A A
11. What was the political and strategic significance of this area in the early historic period? A A A Slighe Midluachra Brúgh Meic an Oigh Dubhros Sliabh Bregha 12. What is the evidence for and significance of early ecclesiastical sites? A A Genealogies A A A A
dindshenchas brug Book of Ballymote A 13. What was the nature of the Viking presence and the associated political changes between the ninth and twelfth century?
A A A A A A A
14. How was medieval Brú na Bóinne connected? 15. Is it possible to chart land ownership in detail from the medieval period to the present day? A A 16. How can we expand our knowledge of the Battle of the Boyne?
Landscape and Environment 17. What is the current status of biodiversity and geodiversity? A A A A A A A 18. What are the threats to biodiversity and geodiversity? What actions can be taken to manage, enhance and protect biodiversity and geodiversity? A 19. How has the Brú na Bóinne environment changed over the last six millennia?
20. How did the plant and livestock economy evolve through prehistory and during the medieval period and later? A A
21. How can we better understand the River Boyne?
A
22. When does the transition to farming take place in Brú na Bóinne and what changes does it bring about? 23. What is the archaeoastronomical significance of the Brú na Bóinne monuments? A
A 24. How was land used during the medieval and post-medieval periods and can we gauge the environmental impact? 25. What is the extent of the aerial photographic resource for Brú na Bóinne? A
26. What could be achieved by further geophysical survey? A
Legacy 27. What more can be done with the megalithic and rock art of the Boyne Valley? A A 28. The past in the past - what was the role of the prehistoric sites in the later periods? A A
29. What survives of the place lore and folklore of Brú na Bóinne and what light can it shed on past events? Cath Ruis na Ríg dindshenchas brug dindshenchas A A
30. What is the value of material/artefact assemblages from old excavations and surveys? A A A 31. What is the nature, date and current condition of the recorded monuments within Brú na Bóinne? A A A A 32. What is the built heritage of the area and is it stylistically representative of the country as a whole or has it any unique characteristics?
A A 33. How has conservation impacted the Brú na Bóinne monuments, in particular Knowth and Newgrange? A 34. How can existing and future data generated within the WHS be better integrated, managed and archived?
The living WHS
35. How do different farming techniques impact on different types of monuments and cultural heritage? A A A leylandii 36. How much new residential development has there been in the area in the last 10 – 20 years and how can it be better managed? A A A
37. Can derelict or underutilized buildings be adapted and re-used? A 38. How was the core area of the World Heritage Site defined? Is this designation adequate? A 39. How can we assess the impact of large developments outside the borders of the area? A A 40. What are the changes in legislation that have occurred since 2002 that are relevant to the management of the WHS? A 41. How are visitors interpreting, enjoying and accessing the monuments? A 42. How can research be used in a positive way to involve the local community in the management of the World Heritage Site?
A
Creating objectives A • • • • A e.g.
Current Initiatives Investigation of geophysical properties of lithic scatter sites at Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath
A contributed by Conor Brady
Knowth Publication Project A A
A A contributed by Kerri Cleary
SHARE IT Project
A A A contributed by Anthony Corns
Boyne Catchment GIS Project
A contributed by Helen Lewis
The Brugh na Bóinne Research Project
Meath Field Name Survey
A A A contributed by Martin Dier
The big gaps 1. Reconstruction and modelling of palaeoenvironment and landscape development
Section 2 A A Current Initiatives A A
2. Produce a master chronology for the WHS
A A A A 3. Understanding settlement
A A A Current Initiatives A
4. Establish the nature and extent of later prehistoric activity
A Section 2 A A A A A A A A dindshenchas 5. Understanding continuity and change in the historic period
the long continuity from prehistory to the late medieval period make this one of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe
A A A
The mega-tombs and related monuments 6. The structural sequence, phasing and interpretation of the passage tombs
7. Investigating the essential importance and distinctiveness of the passage tomb complex past and present
A
A A 8. Investigating the Great Stone Circle and the sequence of the other monuments in front of Newgrange
A
Integrating monuments and landscapes 9. Obtaining blanket coverage of the WHS using a combination of remote sensing techniques
A A A
Current Initiatives A A 10. Understanding land-use change
A A A A 11. Mapping the Battle of the Boyne
12. Investigating the archaeology of the River Boyne
A A
Research infrastructure 13. Create multiple inventories of material relating to the WHS
A ad hoc 14. Build a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) that can store, connect and display all current and future information relating to the WHS and make this accessible as a web-based database/interface
A Current Initiatives
15. Develop a setting and landscape use strategy for the protection and management of the WHS
A A i.e. 16. Study of visitor (local and non-local) expectations and experiences of the WHS
A A A 17. Establish a Brú na Bóinne Research Centre and associated education network
18. Create a steering group to implement and progress the framework
Increase hectares of land surveyed geophysically in the WHS from existing number to 3300ha by end of year 2015 Number of hectares surveyed each year
Appendix I Research committee and working groups
Research committee A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Working groups A Brú na Bóinne in earlier prehistory Brú na Bóinne in later prehistory/the early historic period
Brú na Bóinne in the medieval and post- Palaeoenvironment and palaeogeography medieval period Natural Heritage Vernacular/Built Heritage A Spatial Data Management and Interpretation A A A
Appendix II Consultation process
Appendix III Investigations carried out in the WHS
Appendix IV Radiocarbon dates from the WHS Knowth
Pre-tomb activity GrN-18773 A
GrN-20179 A GrN-20180 A GrN-20181
BM-1075
BM-1076
GrN-12358
Tomb 1
UB-358 et al
OxA-7786 et al GrN-12357 GrN-12827
UB-357 et al UBA-10340 UB-6350 UB-6351 UB-6352
Smaller tombs
BM-786 A et al
GrN-9325 A
BM-1078 A terminus post quem et al UB-318 A et al UB-319 et al BM-785
UBA-10338 UBA-10339
GrN-11714 et al
Grooved Ware circle
GrA-445 GrA-448
BM-1077 A A Later occupation and burials
OxA-7670 A A A et al UB-299 A et al
GrN-13576 A A A GrN-13577 A A A A GrN-13578 A A A
GrN-13579 A A A
UB-4248 A A A A A
UB-4249 A A A A A
UB-4244 A A A
UB-4245 A A A A
UB-4246 A A A A A
UB-4251 A A A
UB-4247 A A A A
UB-4250 A A A A
UB-4119 A A A
GrN-15368
GrN-15369 A A GrN-15370 A A
GrN-15371 A A
GrN-15372
GrN-15384 A GrN-15385 A A A GrN-15371 A A
GrA-13595 A GrA-13334 A GrA-13335 A OxA-3324 A A A A A et al
OxA-3325 A A A et al GrN-14717 A A et al Newgrange
Main tomb GrN-5462 GrN-5462-C GrN-5463 GrN-9057
UB-360 A A et al UB-361 et al Late Neolithic/Beaker occupation
GrN-6342 et al GrN-6343 et al GrN-6344 et al Southeastern pit circle UB-2392 et al
UB-2393 et al UB-2394 et al GrN-11800 GrN-11801 GrN-11802 GU-1617 GU-1618
GU-1619 GU-1620 GU-1621 GU-1622 GU-1771 GU-1772 GU-1773
GU-1774 Western pit circle GrN-12828 GrN-12829
Site M
UB-6566 A A A UB-6569 A UB-6571 A UB-6573 A A
UB-6578 A A A UB-6579 A UB-6580 A A A UB-6581 A UB-6587 A A A UB-7018 A A A UB-7019 A UB-7020 A A
UB-7021 UB-7022 A A Monknewtown UB-728 et al UB-729 et al UB-730 et al UB-731 A A et al UB-732 et al UB-733 et al
UB-734 et al Sheephouse
Field 2, Oldbridge-Sheephouse Bypass
Wk-23993 A
Field 4, Oldbridge-Sheephouse Bypass Wk-24021 A Wk-23991 Pomoideae Wk-23992 A Pomoideae
Oldbridge
Field 5, Oldbridge-Sheephouse Bypass
Wk-23990 A
Field 7, Oldbridge-Sheephouse Bypass Wk-23576 Wk-21776
Appendix V Select bibliography for the WHS
References cited in the text A A Consuming passions and patterns of consumption Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland A A A Pathways and Ceremonies: The Cursus Monuments of Britain and Ireland Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Landscape of the Monuments A The Patrician texts in the Book of Armagh, A Ríocht na Midhe Excavations 2001: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland A Brú na Bóinne: Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the River Boyne A The Significance of Monuments The dissolution of the monastic properties of Ireland under Henry VIII A Trowel Archaeology Ireland A From Stonehenge to the Baltic: living with cultural diversity in the third millennium BC A A A A Journal of Conflict Archaeology A
Tools & Tillage A A A Archaeometry A A Journal of Quaternary Science A A A Ríocht na Midhe A Radiocarbon Irish Kingship and High Kings Historical Knowth and its Hinterland A Archaeology Ireland A Excavations 1999: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 1994: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland A Excavations 2004: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland c
A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A A Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland. The Late Neolithic/Beaker Period Settlement A A A Archaeological Research Agenda for the Avebury World Heritage Site A Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2001: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland The souterrains of Ireland Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland. The Late Neolithic/Beaker Period Settlement A A Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy New Grange and other incised tumuli in Ireland Excavations at Knowth II A County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal The story of Mellifont Brú na Bóinne: Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the River Boyne Archaeology Ireland Brú na Bóinne: Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the River Boyne Archaeology Ireland Statutes rolls of the Irish parliament, Richard III-Henry VIII A Excavations 2001: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland
A Archaeologia Rural History Archaeology Ireland Landscapes of Neolithic Ireland Scotland in ancient Europe A Antiquity A A A A Archaeology Ireland Irish Prehistory: a social perspective The Catholic community in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Irish historical documents, 1172-1922 A The history of Drogheda with its environs and an introductory memoir of the Dublin and Drogheda railway Stonehenge World Heritage Site: An Archaeological Research Framework Excavations 2003: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Archaeology Ireland Topographia Hibernica et expugnatio Hibernica The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site: Research Agenda Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Management Plan
Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Ríocht na Midhe The waters of the Boyne and Blackwater A Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Settlement and economy in the third and second Millennia BC A A A Ancient Europe and the Mediterranean A Excavations at Knowth 1 A Knowth and the Passage Tombs of Ireland A Seanchas Ard Mhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A Art et Symboles du Megalithisme European A A A Proceedings of III Colloquio Internacional de Arte Megalitico Excavations at Knowth 3: Knowth and the Zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland A Cult in Context. Reconsidering Ritual in Archaeology
Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Excavations at Knowth 2 A Ríocht na Midhe A Grooved Ware in Britain and Ireland Revue Archéologique de L’Ouest Excavations 1998: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Management Guidelines for World Cultural Heritage Sites Seanda Archaeology Ireland Ríocht na Midhe Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy National Development Plan 2007-13 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Ríocht na Midhe Irish midland studies: essays in commemoration of N. W. English A A The Effect of Man on the Landscape: The Lowland Zone A A Irish Antiquity A Excavations at Knowth 1 A Newgrange. Archaeology, art and legend
Antiquity Scotland in ancient Europe A The Bronze Age landscapes of the Pipeline to the West: an integrated archaeological and environmental assessment A Life and letters of Edward Lhwyd A A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Annus Archaeologiae A A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A Prehistoric Ritual and Religion Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Ireland’s Heritages. Critical Perspectives and Memory and Identity A A A A Archaeometry Ordnance Survey letters: Meath A journal of a tour in Ireland in AD 1806 A The Priory of Llanthony Prima and Secunda in Ireland, 1172-1541: lands, patronage and politics Historical Knowth and its Hinterland A Ríocht na Midhe Early Irish farming A Historical Knowth and its Hinterland A
A A Atlas of the Irish Rural landscape A Journal of Irish Archaeology Antiquities of Ireland A Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland. The Late Neolithic/Beaker Period Settlement A A 1690 Battle of the Boyne Journal of Irish Archaeology Topographical dictionary of Ireland A Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland A Béaloideas A Excavations 1988: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland A Excavations 1989: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland A Excavations 1989: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland A Ancient Ireland A A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A Na Buirgéisí XII-XV aois A Emania A Excavations at Knowth II A
A The Irish draught horse: a history Anthropozoologica Excavations at Knowth 3: Knowth and the Zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland A A new history of Ireland IV the eighteenth century, 1691-1800 Battle of the Boyne 1690: the Irish campaign for the English crown A County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal Ulster Journal of Archaeology Archaeology Ireland Archaeology Ireland A Stones and Bones. Formal disposal of the dead in Atlantic Europe during the Mesolithic-Neolithic interface 6000-3000 BC A A Calendar of justiciary rolls, Ireland, Vols i and ii A New Phytologist The Shell Guide to Reading the Irish Landscape Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Living Heritage A A natural history of Ireland in Three Parts, by Several Hands A Newgrange. Archaeology, art and legend Archaeological inventory of County Meath
A Trowel A Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society Excavations 2001: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2001: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland A A A A A A Excavations 2000: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Excavations 2003: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland A Excavations 2001. Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland A County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal Miscellaneous Irish annals (A.D. 1114–1437) A A A Dublin city and county from prehistory to the present: studies in honour of J.H. Andrews Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Antiquity Folk and farm: essays in honour of A.T. Lucas A
Newgrange. Archaeology, Art and Legend Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland. TheLate Neolithic/Beaker Period Settlement A A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy The origins of metallurgy in Atlantic Europe A A A A Frameworks for our Past: A review of research frameworks, strategies and perceptions Newgrange and the bend of the Boyne Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Megalithic art in Ireland From Stonehenge to the Baltic: living with cultural diversity in the third millennium BC A A Mrs Delany (Mary Granville): a memoir, 1700-1788 Nature Dublin Penny Journal A A World Archaeology
A Archaeologia Technology Ireland Survey Ireland Dwelling Among the Monuments: The Neolithic Village of Barnhouse, Maeshowe Passage Grave and Surrounding Monuments at Stenness, Orkney A Pagan Celtic Ireland A A A A Expugnatio Hibernica; the conquest of Ireland by Giraldus Cambrensis A A Excavations 2000: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland Settlement, Industry and ritual: proceedings of a public seminar on archaeological discoveries on national road schemes, September 2005 A A A Excavations 2004: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland The megalithic art of western Europe New agendas in Irish prehistory: papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson A Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society A Journal of Irish Archaeology
A A The Modern Traveller to our Past The Civil Survey: county of Meath 1654-56, Vol. V, Co. Meath A Radiocarbon A Radiocarbon Studia Hibernica Colonisation and conquest in medieval Ireland: the English in Louth, 1170-1330 European Journal of Archaeology The Cistercian Monasteries of Ireland An impartial history of the wars of Ireland Archaeological survey of the barony of Ikerrin Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy The Bend of the Boyne: an archaeological landscape A A The Atlas of the Rural Irish Landscape Brú na Bóinne: Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the River Boyne Archaeology Ireland Newgrange and the Bend of the Boyne From ringforts to fortified houses: studies on castles and other monuments in honour of David Sweetman Newgrange
Excavation of a secular cemetery at Knowth Site M, County Meath, and related sites in north-east Leinster The Irish ringfort Calendar of documents relating to Ireland, Vol. 1, 1171–1251 Calendar of documents relating to Ireland, Vol. 2, 1252–1284 A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy A Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Ríocht na Midhe A A 12th Annual Report of the University of London Institute of Archaeology Rotulorum patentium et clausorum cancellariae Hiberniae calendarium Collectanea de rebus Hibernicus A Newgrange. Archaeology, art and legend A Newgrange. Archaeology, art and legend Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Newgrange: Archaeology, art and legend Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Radiocarbon A Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Archaeologia Hibernica
A A Discovery Programme Reports 2: Project Results 1993 A A A County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal Irish Geography A A Atlas of the Irish Rural landscape Extents of Irish monastic possessions, 1540-1541, from manuscripts in the Public Record Office, London Dublin University Magazine The beauties of the Boyne and its tributary, the Blackwater Practical geology and ancient architecture of Ireland
Map 1
Map 2