15th - 20th September 2009
Riva del Garda | Trento, Italy
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Conference Secretariat
Via R. Guardini 8 - 38100 Trento Italy
T +39 0461 824326 - F +39 0461 824251
info@eaaitaly2009.com
Scientific Secretariat
scientific_s@eaaitaly2009.com
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> A research strategy for mapping prehistoric submerged archaeological landscapes on the seabed off Northern Ireland and Newfoundland
The Submerged Landscapes Archaeological Network (SLAN) is an international, multidisciplinary research group that investigates the prehistoric environments and archaeology of drowned landscapes off Ireland and Newfoundland. Both regions experienced lowered relative sea-level (RSL) during their earliest colonization. For Newfoundland, the earliest archaeological sites are believed to be located on 6-9 ka-old shorelines that are now submerged in 10-30m water depth, whereas along the north coast of Ireland, sea levels were lowered by 5-30m during the earliest known Mesolithic (c.10 ka). Our objectives are to understand how these now-submerged environments facilitated the expansion of the first populations and how the evolving coastal landscape, resources and climate may have stimulated social and cultural change. Our approach is explicitly landscape-focused and first attempts to map and reconstruct the palaeo-landscape using a variety of datasets including geophysical models of RSL change, high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiles. The intention is to identify areas where the palaeo-landscape is preserved and where features preferentially utilised by past humans (e.g. river valleys, sheltered lagoons) are situated. Identified zones of high archaeological potential can subsequently be targeted for local site survey and testing. This paper will outline our research strategy and provide illustrated examples of current work.
A RESEARCH STRATEGY FOR MAPPING PREHISTORIC SUBMERGED ARCHAEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES ON THE SEABED OFF NORTHERN IRELAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND
Ruth Plets - co-organiser: Trevor Bell, Rory Quinn, Kieran Westley, Robin Edwards, Aidan O\'SullivanThe Submerged Landscapes Archaeological Network (SLAN) is an international, multidisciplinary research group that investigates the prehistoric environments and archaeology of drowned landscapes off Ireland and Newfoundland. Both regions experienced lowered relative sea-level (RSL) during their earliest colonization. For Newfoundland, the earliest archaeological sites are believed to be located on 6-9 ka-old shorelines that are now submerged in 10-30m water depth, whereas along the north coast of Ireland, sea levels were lowered by 5-30m during the earliest known Mesolithic (c.10 ka). Our objectives are to understand how these now-submerged environments facilitated the expansion of the first populations and how the evolving coastal landscape, resources and climate may have stimulated social and cultural change. Our approach is explicitly landscape-focused and first attempts to map and reconstruct the palaeo-landscape using a variety of datasets including geophysical models of RSL change, high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiles. The intention is to identify areas where the palaeo-landscape is preserved and where features preferentially utilised by past humans (e.g. river valleys, sheltered lagoons) are situated. Identified zones of high archaeological potential can subsequently be targeted for local site survey and testing. This paper will outline our research strategy and provide illustrated examples of current work.
