11.1.5.13 Preservation of Zones of Archaeological Interest and Industrial Heritage

Preservation of Zones of Archaeological Interest and Industrial Heritage

Archaeology is the scientific study of past societies through an examination of material remains. Dublin has a recorded history of human settlement of over 9,000 years, centred along the line of the River Liffey. While there are few upstanding monuments in the city centre, beneath the surface is a rich and complex record of human activity. The upstanding monuments that survive include the city walls, several castles, churches and graveyards and the quay walls. The city also has deep buried archaeological deposits. Mesolithic fish traps were excavated at Spencer Dock, while an exceptionally well-preserved Viking town was uncovered at Wood Quay. There are over 600 shipwrecks recorded in Dublin Bay, while the industrial heritage of the city c.1750 – 1950 survives in areas such as St James’s Gate. Dublin City Council encourages the dissemination and promotion of high-quality information about the city’s rich archaeology as a cultural tourism and educational resource. The archaeological reports that are generated in response to planning and development are mapped and accessible via GIS, while primary records are stored in a dedicated archaeological archive at DCLA.