Diploma in Archaeology

The programme aims to equip participants with a sound knowledge of Ireland’s archaeological heritage from the earliest settlers to the medieval period. The programme consists of lectures, fieldwork and project work. The programme offers a general introduction to the field monuments and material culture of some nine millennia of the Irish past. Participants are also introduced to the discipline of archaeology, its historical development worldwide, theoretical perspectives and methodologies. They will examine the archaeology of Ireland in general, and explore the prehistoric and historic archaeology of human settlement in their region.

Who is this course intended for?

The Diploma programme is open to anyone with an interest in the past. It may be of particular interest to first and second level teachers and others interested in the contribution of archaeology to education, local studies, heritage studies and tourism.

There are six modules on offer within the diploma structure. Students are required to complete 3 modules each year.  

Year 1

Introduction to Archaeology: This module will introduce students to the discipline of archaeology and provide the theoretical and methodological foundations for later courses. The first weeks will be devoted to Exploring the Past, a series of lectures designed to introduce students to modern archaeology, its historical development, aims and practices. This is followed in the latter weeks by lectures devoted to Fundamentals of Archaeological Explanation where students are introduced to the techniques involved in archaeological analyses.

The Archaeology of Prehistoric Ireland: This module provides an introduction to the prehistory of Ireland. The first lectures deal with the first settlers in Ireland, the arrival of farming and megalithic tombs. This is followed by lectures considering the many developments that marked the transition to the Bronze Age, from the introduction of metallurgy to changes in the structure of society and ritual practices. The arrival of Celtic influences to Ireland and the process of Celticisation in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age are explored. The course ends by considering Ireland during the Roman era.

The Archaeology of Historic Ireland : This module introduces Irish archaeology from the arrival of Christianity in the 5 ^th century AD to the end of the medieval period. The weeks of Early Medieval and Viking Ireland looks at the period between AD 400-1000, covering topics such as settlement, economy and craft, the early Christian Church, and Ireland and the Viking world. This is followed by lectures on Anglo-Norman and Gaelic Ireland that deal with the medieval period in Ireland, covering such areas as the archaeology of medieval castles, churches and towns.

Year 2

Approaching the Past: This module deals with the different ways that archaeologists use archaeological evidence to explain past societies and social change as well as a field project where students learn the fundamentals of recording archaeological monuments.

Prehistoric Landscapes: This module focuses on the prehistoric landscapes of western Ireland and includes topics such as the megalithic tombs of the Burren and the Late Bronze Age chiefdom of Dún Aonghasa.

Historic Landscapes: This module focuses on the historic-period landscapes of western Ireland and includes topics such as Christianity in the west, secular settlement, and the towns, castles and other remnants of the Anglo-Norman and medieval Gaelic period.

A number of field trips are scheduled throughout both years, designed to complement each module.