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This program is coordinated by the University of Florida Study Abroad Office, in cooperation with the University of Florida Department of History.
PROGRAM DATES: The overseas component of the program will officially begin in Irelandon Monday, June27and will end on Friday, July 22, 2011. In addition to the overseas component, participants will also be required to attend classes that will take place in Gainesville, FL on the University of Florida campus between July 25 and August 5, 2010. The class meetings will take place every day, from Monday to Friday, in Anderson Hall, room 019, between 9:30 and 10:45.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Florin Curta, professor of Medieval History and Archaeology in the Department of History, has taught Medieval Archaeology at the University of Floridasince 2002, and has directed the field school in Ireland (2002),Romania (2003), Italy (2006), the CzechRepublic (2009), and Spain (2010).
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this program is to teach practical archaeological skills in a research environment. The field school is part of a joint program of excavations focusing on the Killaderry, Castlegar, and Gowla Bogs all of which are located between the small villages Ahascragh and Ballyforan, Co. Galway, in western Ireland.Intensive field walking surveys of these bogs in 2007, in anticipation of industrial peat exploitation,revealed wooden trackways and platforms all of which are most probably medieval. During the Middle Ages, this area was part of the túath of UíMaine, one of the oldest and largest kingdoms in Connacht, the westernmost part of the island. The inhabitants of the kingdom were descendants of Máine Mór who entered the region probably from the north in the middle of the fourth century A.D. Tadgh Mó O’Kelly (Ua Celllaigh), King of Uí Maine, fought on the side of Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. A little later, however, the region was included into the kingdom of Connachta, with the Uí Maine becoming a sub-kingdom. A decline in the power of the ruling dynasty of Connacht led to unrest during the last quarter of the twelfth century, a situation which the Uí Maine used to their advantage. At the battle of the Conors, Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, who had meanwhile built a power center in Ballinasloe (then called Dun Lo) obtained a great degree of independence from the Connacht. The rulers of Uí Maine allied themselves with Richard de Burgh, the founder of Galway. In 1235, Richard de Burgh expelled the native king from Connacht and became the lord of the region, with many of his barons receiving large tracts of land. But the Anglo-Normans were defeated in 1270. After another victory obtained as Ahascragh in 1307, the Uí Maine again expanded under Maelsechlainn Ua Cellaigh (king between 1381 and ca. 1402), a process which continued into the first half of the fifteenth century. The lands in the eastern part of CountyGalway are not suitable for agriculture, because of extensive bogs and forests. Throughout the Middle Ages and the early modern period, Connacht was not a target of English colonization. In addition, early in the thirteenth century, the King of England granted to the King of Connacht a part of the province as hereditary land (the so-called “five cantreds”), which covers much of present-day County Roscommon, as well as eastern Galway. All other parts of the province were given to Richard de Burghand his descendants. The diversity of archaeological cultures present in the area makes it an ideal training ground in archaeological methodology and provides ample evidence for introducing participants to the fascinating aspects of medieval archaeology. This field school is undertaken in conjunction with the Archaeological Development Services of Ireland (ADS).
Through participation in this program, participants will gain the following:
a)an introduction and practical application of archaeological sampling and field methodology;
b)field experience in archaeological survey techniques;
c)field experience in archaeological excavation techniques;
d)laboratory experience in conservation techniques;
e)exposure to a broad range of artifacts (prehistoric through medieval);
f)exposure to the problems of museum organization and studies in a European country;
g)exposure to a new culture.
HIGHLIGHTS: The Killaderry, Castlegar, and Gowla Bogsare located slightly more than 12 mileswestAthlone, one of the most important cities in the Irish Midlands, less than 50 miles from Galway on the western coast of Ireland, and within short distance from Connemara. The project team makes weekly excursions to these locales. Program participants and administrators expect to have an excellent rapport with the local community.
THE SITE OF THE PROGRAM: CountyGalway is one of three westernmost parts of Ireland, and the second largest in the entire country. It is located on both sides of the GalwayBay at the entrance of which are the famous Aran Islands. It is bordered by the counties of Mayo, Roscommon, Westmeath, Offaly, Tipperary, and Clare. The largest lake in the Republic of Ireland (and the second largest lake on the island), Lough Corrib is located in CountyGalway (a canal was cut in the 12th century from the southernmost tip of the lake to the GalwayBay). The county is also famous for the spectacular Twelve Bens, a range of sharp-peaked quartzite mountains. The ConnemaraNational Park is also located in Country Galway. The history of this region of Ireland is equally rich. The Bronze- or, more likely Iron-Age fort of Dún Aengus, one of the most impressive prehistoric monuments of western Ireland is on the island of Inishmore, at the entrance of the GalwayBay. The Uaithne, a Celtic tribe mentioned by Ptolemy in the early second century AD lived in the Lough Derg region on southern Galway and northern Clare counties. One of the most famous monuments of this age, decorated in the earliest Celtic style known in Ireland is the Turoe Stone is located in Bullaun just outside Loughrea in southern Galway. With the arrival of Christianity in the fourth century AD, many monasteries were built in the area, for example in Roscam, on the island of Inchagoill and on the lakes Corrib and Annaghdown. Throughout the Middle Ages, the region was part of the túath of Uí Maine, one of the oldest and largest kingdoms in Connacht. Galway was built in 1124 by Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, the king of Connacht. Tairrdelbach is known to have revived many religious communities in western Ireland, including the Cong Abbey (founded in the early 7th century) where a group of Augustinians came in the mid-twelfth century. Cong is world-wide famous for the processional cross known as the Cross of Cong. Tairrdelbach commissioned the cross for the cathedral in Tuam (the cross was meant to decorate an episcopal crozier), but the cross was later moved to the Cong Abbey. Following an unsuccessful week-long siege in 1230, Galway was captured by Richard de Burgh two years later. Over the subsequent century, Galway thrived under the de Burgh family (known in Ireland as the Burkes) and became a small walled town. It received the right to built a defensive wall from the English Crown in 1396. Throughout the fifteenth century, English-oriented merchant families in the city were anxious to have control over their own affairs without the interference of the gaelicised Burkes in the plains to the east of the city. With independence from the Burkes achieved, Galway became to a large degree culturally and politically isolated from the surrounding Gaelic and Gaelic-Norman territories. The city was chartered in 1484 and immediately introduced legislation prohibiting the native Irish from setting up residence in Galway. In the Late Middle Ages, Galway became the main port of Ireland for trade with France and Spain, briefly visited in 1477 by Christopher Columbus. Joining the Confederate cause in 1642, Galway surrendered to the troops of Oliver Cromwell in 1652 after a nine-month siege. Massive expulsion of Catholics and resettlement of the entire region by people from across the river Shannon cause major upheavals during the second half of the seventeenth century. Galway sided with the Catholic king James II, but surrendered after the battle at Aughrim (1691). Harsh anti-Catholic legislation and the moving of the local capital overseas contributed to a sharp decline of Galway during the eighteenth century. In addition, the city suffered from the tsunami caused by the earthquake of 1755 which destroyed Lisbon. CountyGalway suffered greatly at the time of the Irish Famine of the 1840s, but the city saw some improvements during the same period, including the establishment of the local university in 1845. During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Galway was the headquarters of the British army, and the city saw some fighting during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). For more information on Galway, see
PROGRAM ACADEMIC CREDIT: For satisfactory participation in the program, participants will receive 6 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in EUH-4186: Medieval Archaeology Field Practicum. The course taken while participating in this program cannot be audited.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
A brief essay outlining your background in history and/or archaeology, your interest in this program, as well as how the program will assist you academically and in the future
Must be at least 18 years old
Two letters of recommendation from professors (preferably University of Florida professors) with whom you took courses in the two past years or so
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: General good health is required for this rigorous program, which includes a fair amount of walking over frequently irregular surfaces. The weather will not be much hotter than it is in Florida, but endurance is a plus.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS: From June 26 through July22, participants will reside in the An Cearnog Bed & Breakfast with two students per each room furnished with all necessary amenities, sharing bath and toilet facilities. The B&B is located in downtown Athlone, at a distance of about 20 km from the site. Meals are provided throughout the period of residency, with breakfast before work and evening meals including (but not restricted to) traditional Irish cuisine (try theboxty!).Packed lunches are served on the site. Beverages (alcohol or soft drinks) are not included in the program cost. Participants are required to treat our hosts with respect.
LAND TRANSPORTATION:In order to get to Athlone, you need take the train from Dublin (Heuston Station). Airlink bus 748 covers the distance between the airport and the Heuston Station.The trip by train lasts two hours and costs €18 (the actual ticket is €15, with €3 for the reserved seat). For more details on schedules, see From Athlone, the group will travel to and from the site by minivan(s) hired from Rohan Transport (
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Individuals will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements between the US and Athlone, and for purchasing their tickets from a travel agent or airline of their choice. (Travel insurance is recommended). Participants should keep in mind that in order to arrive in Athlone on June 26, they need to depart on June25.
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS: Cost of acquiring an American passport; roundtrip airfare; meals during week-end excursions; purchases and travel of a personal nature.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I.D. CARD: Participants have the option of purchasing an International Student Identity Card through the International Center Study Abroad office. Students may be able to obtain a reduction on airfare, culture site admission fees, and bus and train fares for free time pursuits. The International Student I.D. card also includes a limited health and accident insurance policy which is only valid outside the U.S.Students should however have a more comprehensive insurance plan to supplement the ID insurance.
REQUIRED PERSONAL EFFECTS:
Heavy-duty shoes, preferably waterproof boots, rain gear, including wind- and waterproof jacket and hat, as well as a towel
Sun-block cream, summer clothing, second pair of shoes for use off-site
Day pack and water bottle
A notebook and pencils
A Marshalltown archaeology pointing trowel (blade Size: 4-1/2" x 2-1/4")
Optional equipment includes a camera and binoculars.
Note: ADS reserves the right to use or reproduce, for any purpose, any photograph, audio or video recording that is taken of participants by, or on behalf of, ADS and it is understood that participants agree that ADS, or parties acting on their behalf, may do so without compensation. Any such photo or recording will be owned only by ADS and may be used in various print and online media for research, educational and promotional purposes.Data transfer, personal photography or audio/visual recording, by any means, is not permitted. ADS would like to update their Facebook and blog followers during the course of the excavations and will be looking for students “thoughts for the day/week” and interesting photos to publish online with the agreement with the persons involved.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Work will be five days a week: Monday between 8:30 and 5, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 8 and 5, Friday between 8:30 and 3, with half an hour for lunch, and a 15 min coffee break in the morning
As this is a rescue excavation, and the bogs are a Bord na Móna (BnM) working environment with narrow guage railways and large machinery, participants will complete a Health and Safety info session upon arrival on site. After that, participants will wear high-visibility vests as personal protective equipment
Participants will aid primarily in the excavation of medieval wooden walkwaysand platforms in the Killaderry bog
Participants will move dirt and timber, screen for artifacts, and make detailed maps
Participants will also be responsible for cleaning and cataloging artifacts
All tasks will be rotated among the participants, so everyone gets a chance to learn
On a rotation basis, all participants will have the opportunity to work in conservation laboratories
Saturdays and Sundays are usually spent on field trips to various sites in Ireland
Note: At Killaderry bog, the sites are within a five-minute walk of a BnM office building with restrooms and kitchen facilities that are available for our use while on site.