Archaeological Training
CRDS Ltd & The Irish Archaeological Field School
Archaeological & Historical Consultants
Address Greenanstown
Stamullen
Co. Meath
Tel: 01 2968190
Fax: 01-2968195
Email: stephen.mandal@crds.ie
Website: www.crds.ie or www.iafs.ie
2012 PROGRAMME
We are Irelands leading provider of university accredited, site based archaeological research and training. The ethos of the school is to provide an opportunity for students and enthusiasts of archaeology and anthropology to experience at first hand the excitement of archaeological excavation within an established research framework. Excavations are undertaken in a research environment led by a team of highly qualified and experienced archaeologists using the most sophisticated technologies, including GPS topographical survey, geophysics, photo-planning and more. In addition to the archaeological excavations, an extensive programme of cultural activities is on offer, including tours of historic sites, folklore, reconstructions, re-enactments, language, music, food and more.
The Archaeological Adventure at Blackfriary, in Trim, County Meath, Ireland is open to enthusiats of archaeology from the 28th May 2012 through September 2012.Your Archaeology Adventure begins with an orientation talk (your first day only), our expert archaeologists will introduce you to the rich heritage and the historical significance of the Boyne valley – Ireland's ancient capital, and to Trim, Co. Meath's medieval capital, and the archaeological site at Blackfriary.
When you arrive on the Blackfriary site in Trim, you can expect to see a hummocky green field, divided by a ditch and hedgerow, and excavation cuttings exposing the soil, and a few of the features exposed during the 2010 excavation season. Beneath this innocuous green field lie the remains of a 13th century Medieval Dominican Friary, its outlying buildings, the friary's farming plots and the skeletal remains of saints, scholars and possibly even your ancestors.
Your first day will involve a general orientation to this site, (there are onsite bathroom and canteen facilities for your comfort), and you will learn the site safety protocols.
Your Archaeology Adventure will begin at 10am and will finish at 4pm*, with a coffee break in the morning, and lunch break.
On your Archaeology Adventure you can expect:-
To be part of the team carrying out important research through excavating this wonderful site,
To learn how to excavate, using well established archaeological techniques - the longer you participate the more you will learn,
Our experts to assist you in learning how to use tools, handle and record finds, and depending on what is uncovered during your participation, you may be introduced how post-excavation analysis works.
At 4pm you have the option to of taking a guided tour of the nearby Trim castle, the largest and best preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland;
Archaeology Adventurers are welcome to attend our popular weekly lecture series.
In order to optimize the learning experience for all participants, the number of spaces on this Archaeology Adventure are limited.
We cater for Individuals, groups and families:
Accompanied minors aged 12 – 17 can participate on the Archaeology Adventure,
We have a specially tailored exciting Archaeology Adventure programme for children aged 6 – 11, in the adjacent Dig it Kids Camp. Contact us for details.
Groups of more than 10 persons are by special arrangement. Contact us for details.
If you would like to make a reservation for the Archaeology Adventure Day experience at Blackfriary, Trim Co. Meath, please email us at:reservations@culturaltourismireland.ie
Course Leaders:
• Dr Matthew Stout, Lecturer in the Department of History, St. Patrick’s College, Dublin.
• Dr Geraldine Stout, Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and recognised authority on the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Dr Conor Brady MIAI, Lecturer in the Department of Humanities, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Louth and member of the Royal Irish Academy Committee for Archaeology
• Finola O’Carroll MA MIAI, Senior Partner with CRDS Ltd Archaeological & Historical Consultants and Chairperson of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland
• Matthew Seaver BSc MA MIAI, Senior Archaeologist and Management Director of CRDS
• Dr Stephen Mandal MIAI EurGeol PGeo, Managing Director of CRDS and Vice-chair of the Royal Irish Academy Committee for Archaeology
Summary of learning modules:
• Introduction to Irish archaeology
• Lay out of excavation grids: planning, section drawing, levelling
• Excavation techniques: trowelling, feature sheet, photography, sampling.
• Finds recording: identification, processing, drawing and database entry
A wide range of specialist modules are available, including GPS Surveying; Topographical Survey; Photogrammetry; Archaeo-geophysical Survey; Architectural Heritage Survey; Geology; Underwater Archaeology; Osteoarchaeology; Computer Applications in Archaeology (Geographical Information Systems (GIS); 3-D modelling and Computer Generated Image (CGI) reconstructions); English Technical Terminology.
Accreditation:
Accreditation is provided by St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University (http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/history/Index.shtml). Students / participants can elect to earn 3 to 6 academic credits (3 credits for a minimum of 2 weeks participation or 6 credits for 4 weeks participation). Transfer of credit to a student’s home institution must be arranged between the student and his/her home institution. Please note that all programme activities, including small study groups and field trips, are open to all participants whether they elect to receive credit or not.
Costs:
Programme fees, payable in Euro (€) to the IAFS, are outlined below:
Tuition Euro GBP* USD* CAD*
1 week €550 £480 US$775 CA$825
2 weeks €1000 £870 US$1415 CA$1495
4 weeks €1900 £1655 US$2685 CA$2845
Additional weeks thereafter €450 £390 US$635 CA$675
Accommodation costs per week (payable in Euro (€) directly to provider (http://www.meathselfcatering.com/) – contact mmlydon@eircom.net for further information / bookings)
In order to book a place on the programme, you must send a deposit of €500 (approx US$725). Your place on the dig cannot be held until this deposit and your application are received by IAFS in Dublin, Ireland. The above costs include insurance and administration costs.
Costs not included in the fees paid to IAFS:
• Transportation costs to and from Ireland - Participants are expected to make and pay for their own travel arrangements.
• If travelling from outside Ireland, your passport.
• Any visas needed to enter Ireland (http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8777).
• Spending money - for shopping and other things you may want to do while in Ireland.
Financial aid:
You may qualify for financial aid through your home institution or through The Gilman International Scholarship (application for 2012 study abroad programs will be available online at www.iie.org/gilman
Participants should also look at other financial aid possibilities on the IAFS website (www.iafs.ie).
To Apply:
• You can apply by contacting us through our website (www/iafs.ie/contact us/) or emailing us at info@iafs.ie.
Cancellations:
The IAFS will refund the extent of money recoverable for committed expenditures if notice or cancellation and a request for refund are submitted to the company offices (see below) in writing no later than six weeks prior to your booked arrival date.
Responsibility — The Irish Archaeological Field School / CRDS, its employees and agents, act only as agents in operating this programme and are not liable for any loss, delay, injury, or damage to person or property resulting from any cause beyond the control of the operating agents. The operating agents reserve the right to alter this programme at their discretion without prior notice to participants. The programme directors reserve the right to refuse to retain any person as a member of this programme in which case no refund is made. No refunds are possible for service not used by participants after the programme is in operation. Any additional expense resulting from illness, accident, natural disasters, wars, strikes, riots, acts of governments, improper passports, visas or necessary travelling documents, or from any conditions whatsoever beyond the control of the operating company are to be borne by the individual participant. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during time passengers are not on board their planes. The passengers' contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued shall constitute the sole contract in use between the airlines and purchasers and/or passengers. Any IATA carrier may be flown.
