An Taisce (7 May 2004)

Woodstown ­ Waterford’s Woodquay: NRA admits being aware of Woodstown since August 2003.

An Taisce urges authorities to heed Donnchadh Ó Corráin’s concerns.

The discovery of the Woodstown Viking site is a welcome addition to the cultural heritage of both Ireland and Europe. A monument of such high calibre, which was previously unknown, can further enhance the country’s cultural amenity. This exciting discovery presents the authorities with a golden opportunity to further promote Ireland’s heritage as a key reason for prospective tourists to consider Ireland as their visit destination.

However, some questions now need to be answered as to the nature of the way this discovery has been made and handled to date. The National Roads Authority has admitted that they have been fully aware of the internationally important Viking discovery at Woodstown, Co. Waterford, since August 2003. The NRA has stated that it has worked closely with the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government towards the resolution of the site. Questions now surround the revelation that the DoEHLG had been unaware, for a period of nine months, of the most significant Viking discovery in Irish history.

An Taisce are also concerned that the Director of the National Museum was not consulted until very recently (6th May 2004) about the site.

Given the importance of the site An Taisce would like to see plans put in place to archaeologically investigate the river adjacent to the Woodstown site. As a boat orientated fortification, vital evidence may be preserved under water. Now, surely, is the time to retrieve these prospective finds.

Commenting for An Taisce, Dr. Clinton said "The site at Woodstown is a unique and chance find of the very highest international cultural and archaeological significance. A comparable site is exceptionally rare ­ even in Scandinavia, the Viking homeland. Ireland has been given an opportunity to make amends for the destruction of Woodquay in the 1980’s ­ an action that has resulted in the loss of millions of euros of potential revenue to our tourist economy. In York, England the Viking site has enabled the City to create a tourist industry worth approximately half a billion euros per annum, attracting some 4 million visitors each year ­ despite its relatively poor Viking remains".

An Taisce believe that to decide, at this stage to merely conduct a "rescue" excavation of the Woodstown site would be shortsighted. Professor Donnchadh Ó Corráin of UCC has stated the Woodstown site "is the most significant new find in Viking Studies in perhaps a century". Professor Ó Corráin has also described the current archaeological works as "horrific", claiming "they have just been skimming off topsoil with a JCB and then using a metal detector to find items".

A discovery of this magnitude requires a careful exploration of the area under the direction and guidance of Viking experts, uninhibited by time constraints imposed by rescue excavations. Anything less will result in the loss of vital archaeological information, causing not only a major catastrophe in Irish archaeology, but also International embarrassment at our failure to properly recognise our obligation to fully explore and preserve not only our own heritage, but also that of Europe.

http://www.antaisce.org/press/?id=862

Discovery

Full Excavation for Irish Viking Village? By Rossella Lorenzi, Discovery News ...

"The discoveries at Woodstown are of major importance for the earliest Viking History in Ireland and the British Isles. A virtually undisturbed large Viking settlement of the mid and late 9th century has never been excavated in these parts of the world," Oslo University Viking expert Dagfinn Skre told Discovery News.

"The finds from the preliminary investigations have shown that a full excavation will contribute considerably to our knowledge of the early history of the Vikings," Skre said. ... more info - http://dsc.discovery.com/news

The Scotsman (17 February 2005)

Scottish Interactive Dig

Archaeologists working in Skye (Scotland) have secured funding to begin an innovative interactive project. Excavations of a cave at Kilbride in the south-west of Skye are turning up exciting finds, including bones, early Iron Age tools, evidence of cooking and even what is thought to be Bronze Age pottery.

Most startling the archaeologists have found evidence that the floor of High Pasture Cave was laid with flagstones, suggesting that the cave was used for a specific purpose.

From March the team working at the project hope to launch Scotland's first live archaeological website. This would allow people to see their work as it happens and learn more about their discoveries. "Archaeology is a little bit elitist at the moment," said Martin Wildgoose, one of three archaeologists working on the project. "Setting up the website will make it much more accessible. It's all about bringing a new approach to involve more people."

The site will broadcast a live feed from the cave while archaeologists are working on the project. A recent geophysics survey has located the original entrance to the cave, and the team hope to open this access. Once they have opened the "door" they can bring lights and additional equipment into the cave. The archaeologists are currently speculating that the cave was used in a ritualistic way. "Bronze and Iron Age people seemed to revere the underworld and places near water," noted Steve Birch, another member of the team. "Perhaps they used this cave as a place to leave votive offerings to their Gods?"

The team hope that bringing their findings to a wider public will encourage more interest in the subject. They also hope to inspire people to join them this summer to work at the project. Once it has launched, the website will be found at: www.high-pasture-cave.org.

An Taisce (2 June 2004 )

Woodstown ­ Decision Imminent

1. The Minister’s Announcement: The Minister for the Environment, Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., has signalled his intention to sanction an excavation of the internationally important Viking site at Woodstown, Co. Waterford. An Taisce welcomes this declaration of intent.

2. An International Panel: The National Monuments Committee of An Taisce feels it is imperative that this excavation encompasses the entire site, rather than simply the ‘road- take’. The excavation of a site with the potential and significance displayed at Woodstown can only be credibly directed by an Internationally recognised group of experts. This formula has already been successfully used on major Viking excavations such as Birka ( Sweden) and Kaupang ( Norway).The acclaimed results of these excavations were achieved under the auspices of a pan-European group of experts, including the Irish representative, Dr. Patrick F. Wallace, Director of the National Museum of Ireland and former Director of the Wood Quay Viking site. If the island of Ireland is to retain credibility regarding our shared European Heritage, it is imperative that such a body be tasked with conducting such prospective investigations of the Woodstown site.

3. Underwater Archaeology: Since Woodstown is also a Naval Base and shipbuilding site, participation by the Under Water Unit of the Department of Environments heritage service is a first and most welcome step in the scientific examination of the site.

4. The Highest European Standards: The Director of the National Museum of Ireland, The Heritage Council and An Taisce (see previous Press Release) have all called for the full excavation of this unique site. This excavation must be carried out in a scientific manner, to the highest European standards.

5. Decision Time: It is disappointing that the National Roads Authority has known the nature of this site since August 2003. Nine Months of precious planning time have been frittered away. It is high time for decision-making: the site must be excavated in full and appropriate plans should be rapidly put in place to deliver Waterford’s essential road infrastructure.

http://www.antaisce.org/press/?id=866