The Lisheen Mine Archaeological Project 1996–1998

Edited by Margaret Gowen, Michael Phillips, John O’Neill, and the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit


 launched in June 2005
(Click here to view slides from the launch)

Abstract
The Lisheen Archaeological Project was carried out between 1996 and 1998 in Derryville Bog, County Tipperary, Ireland, in advance of the construction of a lead-zinc mine. This publication details the work undertaken in response to a unique opportunity to study an archaeologically rich, peat basin in an integrated palaeoenvironmental and archaeological research and recording project, carried out as mitigation for the impact of the mine development. The project was conducted by Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd and funded in full by Minorco Lisheen Ltd, now named Lisheen Mine Ltd.

The multi-disciplinary nature of the project facilitated the examination of a variety of aspects of Derryville Bog from the time of its formation. The specialist palaeoenvironmental studies included palynology (Prof. Chris Caseldine and Dr. Jackie Hatton), testate amoebae (Dr. Ben Gearey), palaeohydrology and peat morphology (Prof. Wil Casparie), coleoptera (Eileen Reilly) and wood analysis (Dr. Ingelise Stuijts). These were undertaken as discrete elements of the project, with primary analysis being carried out in Ireland, England and the Netherlands. Importantly however, the project succeeded in the phased integration of these results with the archaeological results. Communication between these specialists and the archaeological excavation directors (Sarah Cross, Cara Murray, Paul Stevens and John Ó Néill) meant that all the various strands of evidence for the development of the peat basin through time, and more particular evidence on environmental conditions close to archaeological sites, could be knitted together. This provided very significant, location-specific definition for the research on the triggers for change in the development of the peat basin and the impact of change on the archaeological response to particular environmental conditions. It also provided some very interesting results on the impact of the archaeological activity on peat formation processes in particular locations, at particular points in time. The integration achieved by the participants allowed each aspect to significantly inform and guide the overall direction of the project’s archaeological findings in its final stages.

See the feature on Lisheen in the Projects area for more information about this excavation.

The book will be distributed through Wordwell Press, PO Box 69, Bray, Co. Wicklow.