1. Archaeological Experience at Queen’s University, Belfast
Course Content
Throughout my time at Queen’s, the department has implemented many different
components within their modules, ranging from; individual and group presentations,
report writing, practical seminars, essays and group discussions. These components
have enabled me to learn many different skills, and highlight my ability to work
individually but also as part of a team.
Archaeological Experience
April 2014: Arney, Enniskillen
In April 2014, I was involved in a community excavation that incorporated two local
community groups. The Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s was asked
to excavate a 19th
Century School House and two Vernacular Buildings within the
Arney area. This incorporated many different excavation techniques such as;
planning, site photography, topographic survey and the archiving of finds. These
techniques allow a comprehensive DSR (Data Structure Report) to be complied.
October 2013: Surveying Slievenacloy Earthwork Enclosure, Belfast Hills
As part of my postgraduate course, I was involved in surveying a scheduled
monument, the Slievenacloy Earthworks in the Belfast Hills for my Topographical
and Digital Survey module. The monument was divided into sections with three
groups for each section. Before surveying began, a field survey and sketch was
employed as well as highlighting the base points for the area. The Total Station was
set up, and the base points were surveyed in. Once the data was collected, it was
transferred onto the computer to be processed through software programs such as;
LisCAD SEE, LisCAD 6.0 and Surfer. This was valuable experience gained, as I
learnt how to use a Total Station and the subsequent software programs to process and
manipulate the data.
February 2012: Lissanduff Earthwork
As part of my Environmental module, I had the opportunity to work on a scheduled
prehistoric monument, the Lissanduff Earthwork at Portballintrae on the North
Antrim Coast. The site consisted of two large earthworks, each entailing an inner and

2. outer enclosure with high banks. This involved making a record of the stratigraphic
features as recorded in the field, via the auger survey. Two transects were recorded, a
12m transect which was a suspected causeway, and a 24m which ran between the
inner and outer banks. A core was taken every meter, and the soil texture, colour and
elasticity were recorded. The information gathered, was then correlated into graphs
and a report was written. This was an important learning curve, as it taught me to
look at the finer details, and to view my opinions on how a site can develop and
evolve over time.
Summer/Autumn 2011: Archaeology and Palaeoecology Audit
During my first semester of second year, I was involved with an archaeology artefacts
audit at Queen’s University. This involved checking that the artefacts are located and
are in the correct sections. Once this has been done, all artefacts need to be recorded,
and information such as drawer number, section and cell number and the specific
accession code that is assigned to each artefact, and also any other information that is
deemed necessary. Any missing artefacts also needed to be recorded.
June 2011: St. Nicholas Church, Carrickfergus
This took place during the Dunluce excavation, and lasted a day. The excavation
came about due to the placement of a sub-station by Northern Ireland Electricity near
the church wall. When work began, human remains were uncovered and
archaeologists from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork were called. This was
an important opportunity for me, as I gained experience in handling human remains,
but more importantly learning that these remains need to be treated with the respect
and care they deserve.
June 2011: Dunluce Castle Excavation
As part of my Undergraduate degree, I helped excavate an area on the grounds of
Dunluce Castle, located on the North Antrim Coast. This was an opportunity to help
me gain first-hand experience, and learn the relevant stages of an excavation, but also
the importance of excavating, as it lets us gain further knowledge on the site and the
surrounding area.