Our team of professional environmental archaeologists have extensive experience in the processing, identification, analysis and reporting of archaeological soil, wood and pollen samples. IAC’s post excavation department are fully equipped to provide a comprehensive service and rapid response to fulfil our client’s requirements.
Environmental samples are routinely taken from a variety of contexts during excavations. Once the samples are processed, many different types of analysis can be performed to yield information on the environment, food, trade, functionality, living conditions, fuels used and much more. The types of analysis include plant macro, charcoal, wood, pollen, insects and animal bone. The capability of our team includes processing (flotation and wet-sieving waterlogged samples, insect sample processing), plant macro, charcoal, wood and pollen analysis.
Our methods conform with best practice guidelines including those published by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Museum of Ireland (NMI). Our environmental team are based in a dedicated, secure post-excavation facility in Kilcoole, where both the processing and the analyses is undertaken.
We provide the following services.
- PES (Project Environmentalist Specialist) services.
- Post-excavation processing, including flotation, wet-sieving waterlogged samples, insect sample processing and wood sample cleaning.
- Waterlogged and charred plant macro analysis
- Charcoal and wood identification and analysis
- Insect processing and analysis
- Pollen analysis
- Sampling and licence application for further scientific analyses including radiocarbon dating.
- Archiving of environmental remains and preparation of accession to the National Museum of Ireland.
- Publication, public dissemination and community outreach.
For further information please contact the following.
Roisin O’Droma
rodroma@iac.ie
Dr. Ellen O’Carroll
eocarroll@iac.ie
