Blackwater Survey & Excavations; Artefact Deterioration in Peatlands; Lough More, Co.Mayo

With this work, following on the publication of the Late Bronze Age palisaded settlement at Clonfinlough Co. Offaly, we are reminded that wetland archaeology is not just about trackways. But trackways do, of course, form the core of the Unit’s work, as these are by far the commonest archaeological structures in the midland raised bogs. By now the Unit’s togher count is well into its second thousand. There is, indeed, no reason not to assume that the present total will not at least double by the end of the century. With such a rapidly increasing volume of material it is important that the Unit has developed a sophisticated and streamlined system of recording. This enables the fieldworkers to note with speed and accuracy all the relevant details of each individual structure encountered. This information is then presented in the volumes of the Transactions in a concise and consistent format. Thus, a comprehensive archive of the wetland structures in Ireland is in course of compilation and it is hoped that this important national project will continue to completion.