Department of Archaeology, nui, GALWAY.

Welcome to the Department of Archaeology in NUI Galway.

The objectives of the Department of Archaeology at NUI, Galway are:

• To deliver high quality education in a student-focused environment, based on innovative research and with a strong ethical foundation
• To develop the department’s areas of research in Prehistoric, Medieval, Early Modern and Public Archaeology in an international context
• To foster local community interest in and engagement with archaeology
• To advocate heritage protection

 Areas of Expertise

• Working with students.
  Innovative undergraduate teaching methods and close mentoring of graduate students
• Developing Research
  
  • The Burren Landscape Through Time
    Exploring the archaeology of the Burren from prehistoric to early modern times
  • Landscape Archaeology
    Providing an enhanced understanding of the interaction between people and landscape, from prehistoric times to modern day
  • Ritual and Place
    Exploring the role and context of ritual centres in prehistoric and medieval Ireland
  • Material Culture, Art and Society
    Exploring the style, pedigree and iconography of religious and decorative art in early medieval Ireland against its wider European backdrop
  • Gaelic and Colonial Ireland
    Providing modern Irish society with a new understanding of native society and its engagement with newcomers and colonisation
  • Public Archaeology
    Developing professional ethics and standards through mutually accountable work with communities to support their heritage in Ireland and abroad with particular concern for the positive and negative impact of development.

  • The Connacht Project
    An interdisciplinary research initiative investigating aspects of early Irish literature and associated archaeology relating to the ancient province of Connacht.

• Serving the Community
  Involving local communities and Irish society in active debate about their past, through programs of outreach, public lectures and promotion of local heritage.
   

What is Archaeology?

Ancient civilisations are endlessly fascinating.  From the astronomical sophistication of Newgrange to the imposing architecture of Norman castles, humans have relentlessly pushed the boundaries of what is possible.  By studying how humanity has adapted to every conceivable environment on this planet, and how different civilisations have attempted to understand the meaning of existence, we are, in fact, studying ourselves. Monuments and artefacts, ancient tombs and shipwrecks are just as much historical documents as the parchments and manuscripts of medieval Europe and Asia; they are pieces of the jigsaw of human history.  Archaeology is the study of these remains.   Read more

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