Archaeology and Education in Multi-Racial Ireland

Ann Kelly Moran

The subject of my research is an assessment of archaeology’s role in the contemporary primary classroom and its potential as part of the Irish curriculum in the 21 ^st century. I am in my second year of research and I believe archaeology has huge promise as a practical, multi-disciplinary teaching tool. I think archaeology as an individual subject has been under-utilised in schools to date and its application in the classroom has more possibilities than the habitual confirmation of known historical or geographical facts.

Theory, methodology and practice have advanced considerably since the 1960s and the beginnings of what we call "New Archaeology". The discipline has developed and it is now as much about the people and their past lives and societies as the material remains which have been left behind in the ground.

Archaeologists and teachers from many different countries have increasingly come to recognise the importance, potential, significance and value of archaeology in our primary schools. Archaeology can provide an ideal opportunity for children to experience multiple perspectives on the past and to value not only their own community and its heritage but the heritage and culture of others.

Immigration to Ireland increased dramatically throughout the recent economic expansion, often termed the ’Celtic Tiger’. This demographic shift significantly changed the ethnic and racial make-up in our schools. Archaeology has the potential to demonstrate and debate past cultural diversity in a relative and positive way for all pupils in the present.

I am presently evaluating the potential of my research by teaching archaeologically themed lessons in two local primary schools in the city of Galway.

Email morana550gmail.co

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility