Frequently Asked Questions

What is archaeology?

What are archaeological monuments?

Are all archaeological monuments visible?

What is the date range of archaeological monuments in Ireland?

Why protect and preserve archaeological material?

Are archaeological monuments protected under law?

How do I know if my development site includes a site, which is covered by a preservation order, or is a site in the guardianship or ownership of the State?

What is the Record of Monument and Places (RMP)?

How do I know whether my proposed development site lies within or close to a Recorded Monument?

Where can I find the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP)?

How long does it take to process a Licence Application?

What is archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of past societies through an examination of the material remains left by those societies and the evidence of their environment. It investigates their houses, settlements and tombs and everyday implements. It seeks to understand the landscape, vegetation and climate of previous times as they affected, and were affected by, past peoples.

What are archaeological monuments?

Archaeologists use the word 'monument' to refer to man-made structures or to natural features altered by man. Monuments range in scale and complexity from the well-known passage tomb cemetery of Newgrange to rock art sites where outcropping rock is decorated with cup and circle motifs. There are rare industrial sites such as mines, cooking or washing sites known as fulacht fia and toghers or wooden trackways traversing boglands. More visible monuments such as ringforts or raths and impressive castles, tower houses, abbeys and churches populate the countryside. Town defences such as town walls, ditches, gates and bridges survive within historic towns and sometimes even the houses, churches and market buildings of medieval times remains. Buried deposits are also significant archaeologically. These ancient rubbish tips and buried occupation sites often reveal as much information about our predecessors as extensive upstanding buildings.

Are all monuments visible?

For many monuments there is no visible evidence. They may survive mainly below ground, in which case archaeologists often refer to them as 'sites'. The fact that features or structures are not visible above ground need have no bearing on the level of archaeological interest of a monument. In some weather conditions (e.g. drought), crops growing in soils which have been disturbed can be distinguished from other crops growing in the untouched boulder clay around them. They are revealed as areas or archs of a different colour which when seen from the air are termed 'cropmarks'. Other monuments are buried in bogs where the peat has grown above them, yet more are submerged at the edge of a lake or sea or on the seabed.

What is the date range of sites and monuments in Ireland?

The earliest archaeological sites in Ireland are slight traces of the temporary settlements of fishermen, hunters and gatherers that survive as scatters of stone implements (either flint or chert) and shell mounds or middens. These can date to the period following the end of the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. But structures and remains of any period, even relatively recent buildings or objects could be considered of archaeological interest.

Why protect and preserve archaeological material?

Only a portion of the material remains of our predecessors has survived, so it is vital that we manage what is left wisely. Since prehistoric people had no written record to leave behind we are dependant on the artefacts they did leave. All the material remains of past societies contribute to developing our understanding of such societies through archaeology. Archaeology attempts to achieve the best possible level of knowledge and understanding of past societies by assembling all available evidence and analysing it.

Are sites and monuments protected under law?

All archaeological monuments are protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930 - 2004. The National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government keeps a record of all known monuments and sites. These form the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). When the owner or occupier of a property, or any other person proposes to carry out, or to cause, or to permit the carrying out of any work at, or in relation to, a Recorded Monument, they are required to give notice in writing to the Minister 2 months before commencing that work. This time will allow the National Monuments Service to advise on how the work may proceed in tandem with the protection of the monuments in question.

For National Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local authority or which are subject to a preservation order the prior written consent of the Minister is required for any interference with the monument.

Separate controls apply in respect of archaeological works connected with approved road schemes.

The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) recognises that proper planning and sustainable development includes objectives for the protection of the archaeological heritage. Development plans may include such objectives, and conditions relating to archaeology may be attached to individual planning permissions.

How do I know if my development site includes a site, which is covered by a Preservation Order or is a site in the guardianship or ownership of the State?

National monuments in State guardianship or ownership have a notice on the site which states that the monument is a National Monument and is protected under the National Monuments Acts. If a Preservation Order is placed on a monument the owner/occupier is notified in writing.

What is the Record of Monument and Places?

The Record of Monument and Places (RMP) is a statutory list of all known archaeological monuments provided for in the National Monuments Acts. There are over 120,000 Recorded Monuments included in the RMP. The RMP consists of a published county-by-county set of Ordnance Survey maps on which monuments are marked by a circle and an accompanying book which specifies the type of monuments. It should be borne in mind that the circle does not necessarily define the extent of the site or monument.

How do I know whether my proposed development site lies within or close to a Recorded Monument?

You should firstly consult the RMP maps as described above. The RMP maps are organised on a county basis and you should be able to identify your development site within the relevant townland confirming whether or not your development site lies in proximity to a recorded monument.

Where can I find the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP)?

The RMP is available in planning authority offices and in public libraries countrywide as well as in county and city / town museums. It also may be consulted at the National Monuments Archive, 6 Ely Place Upper, Dublin 2 The archive is open to the public every Monday between the hours of 10am and 5pm (the archive opens on Tuesdays following Bank Holidays). To make an appointment phone (01) 888 3083 or email nmarchive@environ.ie.

How long does it take to process a Licence Application?

Applications for archaeological excavation licences normally take three weeks to process. Applicants should therefore apply at least three weeks before the commencement date of the proposed excavation.