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Online report published on excavations on Skellig Michael printable version

01 Feb 2012: posted by the editor - Ireland

An online publication of the archaeological stratigraphic report for excavations carried out by the National Monuments Service on Skellig Michael has now been published on-line.

Announcing the publication,Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Minister Jimmy Deenihan highlighted the international significance of the island, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. In describing the site as “a unique example of an early medieval island monastic settlement, particularly the hermitage on the South Peak”, he indicated the fascination and curiosity of visitors and academics alike in the nature and history of the island and its inhabitants. “The importance of providing a record of the conservation and research work carried out on the island over the last 30 years with a view to broadening our knowledge of the historical significance of the island cannot be underestimated,” he said.

In welcoming the reportMr Deenihan said: “Archaeological excavations carried out by archaeologists from the National Monuments Service and on contract have been an integral part of the conservation works carried out at the early medieval monastic site on Skellig Michael since the early 1980s.”

He outlined that this report contains full details of features and artefacts uncovered during the excavations, supported by numerous drawings and photographs. The Minister indicated that “this information, together with the results of specialist analyses has thrown new light on the evolution of this spectacular monastery and the lives of the monks who inhabited the island between the seventh and thirteenth centuries”.

The Minister went on to say: “This is the first step in the Skellig Michael publication programme and a series of volumes is planned which will present the final results of the architectural, historical, archaeological and engineering works carried out at this World Heritage Site”.

The Minister thanked the Office of Public Works, who is responsible for the management of the World Heritage site, for its continued commitment to the work carried out on Skellig Michael, particularly in light of the challenging environment in which investigation and conservations works are carried out.

The report, titled Archaeological Stratigraphic Report: Excavations 1986-2010. and detailing the results of the excavations is available on the Department’s website www.worldheritageireland.ie.

The authors of the report are E. Bourke, A.R. Hayden, A. Lynch

Tags: Skellig Michael

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