Our team of professional osteoarchaeologists have extensive experience in the identification, recovery and recording of human remains from archaeological contexts. IAC’s osteoarchaeology department are fully equipped to provide a comprehensive service and rapid response to fulfil our client’s requirements.
Human remains are frequently found during pre-development archaeological investigations and construction-phase ground disturbances in rural and urban settings. Our team of osteoarchaeologists have considerable experience and an in-depth knowledge of the archaeological, ethical, legal and practical requirements for undertaking investigation of human remains.
Our methods conform with best practice guidelines and codes of practice for the treatment of human remains, including those published by the National Museum of Ireland, National Monuments Service, the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland and the Chartered Institutes for Archaeologists. Our osteoarchaeological team are based in our dedicated, secure post-excavation facility in Kilcoole.
We provide the following services.
- Onsite identification of human skeletal remains.
- Impact assessment and advice on appropriate mitigation.
- Consultation with Gardaí and Statutory Authorities.
- Preparation of method statements for preservation in situ or by record.
- Archaeological excavation of human skeletal remains.
- Post-excavation processing and cleaning of human remains.
- Osteological analysis of burnt and unburnt human remains.
- Sampling and licence application for further scientific analyses including radiocarbon dating, multi-isotope, and
- ancient DNA.
- Archiving of human remains and preparation of accession to the National Museum of Ireland.
- Publication, public dissemination and community outreach.
For further information please contact the following.
Maeve Tobin
mtobin@iac.ie
Jennie Coughlan
jcoughlan@iac.ie
