Hill of Tara - Archaeological Survey
The archaeological survey of the monuments on the Hill of Tara and its hinterland began in 1992, under the direction of Conor Newman. The survey was completed in 1997 and the results were published in a major monograph entitled Tara, An Archaeological Survey. The Discovery Programme’s survey of Tara coincides with a highly interesting period in the development of theoretical approaches to archaeological landscapes in general and to so-called ‘ritual landscapes’ in particular. Analysis has demonstrated that such landscapes comprise a range of monument types, the long-term spatial development of which was directed by the presence and whereabouts of earlier monuments, topography and evolving ideological requirements. The survey carried out had a two-fold purpose:
- to undertake the most detailed modern survey of one of the most famous monument complexes in Ireland
- to introduce a range of non-invasive survey techniques rarely, if ever, used in Irish archaeology
The range of techniques used by the Discovery Programme at Tara included topographic survey, geophysical survey, geochemical survey, as well as aerial photography.
For final report see publications section