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About the Dig
Achill Archaeological Field School provides opportunities for students to actively participate in the excavations at sites situated at the Deserted Village and elsewhere on Achill Island, that are ongoing since 1991.
In 1991, the Deserted Village project was set up with the stated aim of carrying out a detailed survey of the archaeological remains on Slievemore Mountain, the highest mountain on Achill Island, together with excavation of selected houses and other archaeological features within the village/s. The Research Design would involve a detailed survey of the mountain from the 400' contour to the valley bottom over an area 1.5 miles long by 0.5 miles wide. In other words, a complete archaeological survey of a known prehistoric and historic landscape, pinpoint relationships between the two and highlight areas that overlap.
The Deserted Village or the three segments of settlement which make up the Deserted Village, have no name/s, but are simply known by three designations: Tuar, Tuar Reabhach and Faiche, all names of fields. Tuar - the west village, Tuar Reabhach - the area immediately west of Slievemore graveyard and Faiche - the east village. All three segments are linked by an ancient pathway that commences north of House No. 7 in Tuar and continues from west to east across the mountain at the 200' contour to the townland of Dugort West and Keel East, terminating at Bal of Dookinella.
Prehistoric remains on the mountain include megalithic tombs, court and portal which are located between elevations of 50' and 600' O.D., at the eastern end of Slievemore. Bronze Age Round Houses and associated field systems are located at the 400' contour and extend across the mountain at this elevation. Field walls of this period also extend throughout the Deserted Village from north to south. The only Iron Age structures were two cashels, one of which survived up until 1922. An ancient tale, 'Táin Bó Fraoch', a subsidiary tale in 'Táin Bó Cuailnge' mentions the 'Cashels of Slievemore' as well as other monuments elsewhere on the island.
Early medieval remains are located in the old graveyard of Slievemore, located c.4-500 metres south of the pathway along which the houses of the Deserted Village are aligned.
The Deserted Village is within walking distance from the town of Keel and is located in an area of outstanding beauty overlooking one of the finest bays on the west coast.
SCOIL SEANDÁLÚIL ACLA