1-Day Tour of Slievemore & excavations: May - September 2012
Description
Spend an action packed day with the world-renowned Achill Archaeological Field School on Achill Island! Available Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesday.
The Achill Archaeological Field School has spent the last 20 years researching and excavating the fantastic archaeological sites found on Achill Island. The Field School has investigated sites dating from the remote prehistoric past to the time of our grandparents, and everything in between. Achill Island is well known for its stunning array of well preserved archaeological sites, which includes Neolithic Megalithic tombs, Bronze Age houses and field systems, Early Christian churches and Crannogs, a Mediaeval Tower House and many deserted settlements, including the world-famous Deserted Village at Slievemore.
Between May and August 2011, members of the public are invited to join the Field School’s excavation for an exiting day exploring the rich culture and heritage of the island from a very unusual perspective; the bottom of an archaeological excavation! Meeting at the car park at the Graveyard in Slievemore, the day will begin with a Guided Tour through the Deserted Village and up into the vast prehistoric landscape that covers the lower slopes of Slievemore Mountain. The tour will end at the site of the ongoing excavations where our friendly team of supervisors will explain how the excavation is proceeding. Then it is time to get your hands dirty! The rest of the day will be spent helping with the excavations; carefully trowelling through the peat to expose the intact walls of the dry stone buildings and field walls of the Bronze Age (c.1300 BC) farmsteads we are investigating. Make sure to keep your eyes open for any elusive artefacts!
The Achill Archaeological Experience allows members of the public to take their interest in history and archaeology to a whole new level, and the friendly atmosphere on site and the helpful staff will ensure the day is as entertaining as it is rewarding.
Priced at €50 euro per person with advanced booking essential.