The Loughcrew Project

Understanding the landscape of Loughcrew through airborne LIDAR survey and digital spatial analysis.

Colin Shell and Corinne Roughley (University of Cambridge)

Elizabeth Shee-Twohig (University College, Cork)

Gill Swanton (Kynet Consultancy)

Loughcrew is famous for the neolithic passage tombs located on the Slieve na Callaigh hills in Co. Meath. The surrounding landscape is rich in prehistoric archaeology (Shee Twohig 2001). The project's aim was to record the visible archaeological features of a 5 x 6 km area around the hills using airborne lidar. To date, over 160 Km of features which are of archaeological interest have been identified. Visualisation and spatial analysis are then used to situate the passage graves within their wider landscape context.

Publications:

Shee Twohig, E. 2001 Shee Twohig 2001. Change and Continuity: Post passage tomb ceremonial near Loughcrew, Co Meath. Revue Archeologique de l´Ouest, supplement 9, 113-124.

Shell, C.A. & Roughley, C.F. 2004. Exploring the Loughcrew Landscape: a New Approach with Airborne Lidar, Archaeology Ireland, 18, no.2, Issue no. 68, 20-23

Shell, C. 2005. The Loughcrew Landscape Project PAST 51 pdf

Shee Twohig, E., C. Roughley, C. Shell, C. O Reilly, P. Clarke and G.Swanton. 2010. Open Air Rock Art at Loughcrew Co. Meath. Journal of Irish Archaeology 19