Abstract
Archaeology was well established as a state sector and academic profession in Ireland by the 1960s and 1970s; however, Irish archaeology experienced a very remarkable development-led growth between the 1980s and the 1990s with that growth accelerating beyond all expectation between the mid-1990s and 2007/8. At that point the construction-industry-led Irish economy suddenly commenced its bewildering decline into severe recession (Gowen 2007a, 23–5; 2012; Eogan 2010, 19–24). Irish archaeological research, which was also very well established in Irish universities within a northern European research tradition from the 1940s onwards, did not identify or maximise the opportunity that this growth presented. It regrettably remained quite disengaged with commercial archaeology until it became clear that the increase in development-led activity was producing very significant findings and that these were being neither adequately disseminated nor resulting in a tangible return to research knowledge (University College Dublin 2006, 7–10).
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Notes
- 1.
The Irish National Monuments Act still forms the essence and backbone of Irish heritage protection law was first passed in 1930. Since that date the Act has seen a number of additions and amendments (1954, 1987, 1994 and 2004).
- 2.
All directors of excavations undergo an examination by interview prior to acquiring licence eligibility but it is notable that post-graduate university degrees in archaeology are not required for this qualification and candidate with higher degrees do no gain any additional “weighting” in the selection and evaluation process; in effect archaeological research experience is not accorded a place of importance in the adjudication of a candidate’s competency to undertake archaeological excavations.
- 3.
The basis for eligibility of applicants, supported by a comprehensive Curriculum Vita, is a primary degree in archaeology or equivalent, a proven knowledge of Irish archaeology and legislation, and at least 2 years appropriate experience in excavation fieldwork, including substantial supervisory experience.
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Gowen, M. (2013). The Emergence of the Commercial Sector in Irish Archaeology 1987–2007: Lessons to Be Learnt on Research Opportunities Lost. In: Jameson, J., Eogan, J. (eds) Training and Practice for Modern Day Archaeologists. One World Archaeology, vol 1. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5529-5_11
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