Intertidal archaeology of Lough Swilly

							                        The Intertidal Archaeology of Lough Swilly

Supervisors:    Dr. W. Forsythe and Dr. C. Breen (University of Ulster)


Level: PhD

1. Introduction/Background:
In recent years coastal archaeological survey has transformed our understanding of maritime
cultural heritage. A key environment for pioneering work has been the intertidal zone, an area
previous generations of archaeologists thought too unstable and peripheral to locate remains
of past activity. Key survey work undertaken in Ireland (e.g. O’Sullivan 2001; McErlean et al.
2002), Britain (e.g. Bell et al. 1997, 2000; Davidson 2002) have demonstrated that the
foreshore is capable of reflecting the entire span of human history and in doing so revealing a
rich new dimension to our understanding of the past.

As a major sea Lough in north Donegal, Lough Swilly represents a key opportunity for new
survey work aimed at understanding its significant intertidal expanse. Stretching some 40km
from its inner reaches to the sea, the surface area of the Lough is about 150 km2 and it has a
tidal range between 1.4-3.5m. Its shores feature a range of environments including cliffs,
reclaimed and natural low-lying margins, saltmarsh and sandy beaches (Fig. 1). The
surrounding area too is varied with mountains and lakes, peat bogs and woodland. Muddy
intertidal flats and salt marshes are well developed in the upper reaches, particularly between
Lisfannon and the mouth of the River Swilly. Extensive reclamation in the Inch island area
has seen the transformation of former intertidal and salt marsh areas to farmland which is now
enclosed by embankments (Cooper and O’Hagan 2002).

Previous work in the area has uncovered prehistoric evidence of shoreline exploitation
(Kimball 2000), as well as standard county-level surveys of the terrestrial archaeology (Lacy
1983). A number of archaeologists have published papers dealing with specific aspects of the
Lough’s hinterland, but to date there has been no systematic survey of the wider coastal
heritage.




Figure 1. The inner Lough at half tide exposing a significant expanse of foreshore and deeper
                                     navigable channels.




Wes Forsythe                                                                           11/12/09
This project would establish the archaeological profile of the Swilly’s foreshore, provide an
insight to anthropogenic and natural forces shaping this environment, and modify the existing
archaeological understanding of the Lough. Methodologies for such work represent a major
challenge, involving the need to work around the tidal regime and developing an ability to
detect remains both on the foreshore and in areas of reclamation. As such this project will re-
appraise strategy for intertidal survey and assess its potential for future work.

2. Project aims and objectives:
The overall aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the role of the foreshore
environment in the life of past communities around the Swilly. The work will also aim to
understand processes affecting foreshore development and reappraise survey methods as a
result.

2.1 Objectives:
The major objectives of this project will be:
     Systematic survey of the intertidal reaches of Lough Swilly, describing and logging
       all archaeological remains.
     Assessment of the physical nature of the intertidal zone, with a view to modifying
       methods of survey. In particular highlighting the effect of anthropogenic
       modifications (e.g. reclamation, causeways). Incorporation of existing topographic /
       bathymetric datasets and undertaking further remote sensing techniques where
       appropriate.
     Comparison of geographically & culturally similar areas allowing Swilly’s
       archaeology full contextualisation.
     Compilation/collection of all documentary & cartographic evidence for change and
       use of the intertidal zone to provide chronological and spatial clarity.

3. Methodology:
The project will utilise new and existing strategies for survey of the foreshore. This will
include desktop survey of cartographic and primary documentary sources, as well as the
results of previous archaeological surveys and studies. Equally all literature relating to the
natural evolution of the Lough and its shores will be incorporated. The utilisation of existing
topographic datasets and new bathymetric datasets (JIBS) will sharpen understanding of
landscape evolution in the region. Fieldwork will comprise careful ground survey and
standard recording of all archaeological remains encountered. Landscape and cultural
remains will be displayed through appropriate software (e.g. GIS) in order to best analyse and
interpret results.

The work will be linked to ongoing research programmes, in particular complimentary
underwater work building on the JIBS dataset and archaeological survey on other parts of the
north Irish coast. Both these projects are based within the School of Environmental Science
and the successful candidate will have the advantage of drawing on a range of expertise.

References:

Bell, M., Caseldine, A. and Neuman, H. (2000) Prehistoric intertidal archaeology
        in the Welsh Severn estuary. CBA Research Report 120. York. Council for British
        Archaeology.
Bell, M. and Neumann, H. (1997) Prehistoric intertidal archaeology and environments
        in the Severn estuary, Wales. World Archaeology 29(1), 95–113.
Cooper, A. and O’Hagan, A. (2002) Scoping Study for an ICZM strategy for Lough Swilly.
        Report to Save the Swilly Group.
Davidson A. (2002) The coastal archaeology of Wales. CBA, York.




Wes Forsythe                                                                           11/12/09
Kimball, M. (2000) Human Ecology and Neolithic Transition in Eastern County Donegal,
        Ireland: The Lough Swilly Archaeological Survey. Oxford: Archaeopress, British
        Archaeological Reports, British Series 300.
Lacy, B. (1983) Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. Donegal County Council,
        Lifford.
McErlean, T., McConkey, R., and Forsythe, W. (2002) Strangford Lough an archaeological
        survey of the maritime cultural landscape. Blackstaff, Belfast.
O’Sullivan, A. (2001) Foragers, farmers and fishers in a coastal landscape; an intertidal
        archaeological survey of the Shannon estuary. Discovery Programme Monographs 5.
        Dublin. Royal Irish Academy.




Wes Forsythe                                                                      11/12/09