- Shannon Estuary Inter-tidal Study
People have been living along the Irish coast since Mesolithic times (at least!), but archaeologists have only recently begun to explore systematically the potential of that particular environment as a source of evidence. As part of the North Munster Study a pioneering inter-tidal study of the Shannon Estuary in south west Ireland was carried out.
The River Shannon is Ireland’s longest and greatest river. This study of its vast estuary was multi-disciplinary in character. Archaeology, history, folklore, cartographic sources and place-name studies were utilised in an attempt to explore the role of this enormous and diverse estuary in the human development of the region. The geology, soils, hydrography and palaeoenvironmental deposits in the estuary were also investigated.
The archaeological discoveries included an enigmatic Neolithic wetland occupation or mortuary site, as well as Late Bronze Age houses and trackways that indicate a range of prehistoric social, ritual and economic activities in the riverside marches. Early historic and medieval wooden fishtraps - several spectacularly preserved – were found, testifying to the work of local fishermen throughout the Middle Ages. Post-medieval fishtraps were also found. The post medieval shipwrecks in the estuary were investigated as part of the project also.
The final report of the project was published in 2001 in a large format monograph (see publications).