Research project

Supervisor: Prof. Geoff Bailey

Island Colonization and Water Transport  in the Atlantic European Zone after the Last Ice Age

My thesis  investigates the colonisation of islands and the use of water transport in the human expansion at the end of the Last Ice Age.  By reviewing the evidence and past approaches to colonisation my thesis sheds new light on the role of islands and water transport in the re-peopling of Atlantic northwest Europe after the Last Ice Age. I investigate the major island groups of Norway, Scotland, Britain, Ireland, and France collecting data on initial dates of colonisation together with biogeographical variables, which has enabled me to produce comparable data across a large geographical area. I explore water transport and seafaring capabilities to explain island colonisation and use, and investigate the cultural significance of boats by looking at ethnographic examples.

Main objectives of the research:

• Review the study of island archaeology in marine environments.
• Compile a database of offshore islands which includes physical properties and earliest dates.
• Evaluate the effect of sea level change on specific island locations.
• Assess the evidence for earliest water transport.
  

Profile

My academic introduction to archaeology came from evening classes on landscape archaeology and Egyptology.  I volunteered on a local excavation before returning the following year as a paid digger. I was fortunate enough to work on:  Mesolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Monastic and urban multi-period excavations and this experience encouraged me to apply for my first degree in archaeology the following year, eventually gaining a BSc in archaeology from York. 

While employed as a professional archaeologist in 2000 I had the privilege to work with Sinéad McCartan excavating a Mesolithic site on the Isle of Man. Radiocarbon samples taken from the site revealed the earliest date for human presence on the island and this captured my imagination. In 2005 I met with Geoff Bailey who encouraged me to pursue this interest at York by enrolling for an MSc in archaeological research where I could revisit my interest in the early Manx Mesolithic. The thesis investigated early colonisation of the Isle of Man by analysing the archaeological evidence and sea level data to propose new approaches to investigating early colonisation on the Isle of Man.

My MSc set the scene for my current PhD research, which has enabled me  to explore my interests further by greatly expanding my research area and using innovative analytical techniques. This all has been made possible with financial support from the Isle of Man Government.

Research

Primarily I am interested in Post glacial island colonisation and the development of water transport and more general archaeologies with reference to theoretical approaches and understanding of the newly developing area of nissology.  This also includes Mesolithic hunter gatherers, indigenous polar and cold region archaeology, early water transport technology, lifeways of archaic and contemporary boat people such as the Moken of south east Asia, seascapes, Mediterranean island colonisation, and the application of marine and island mapping including sea level reconstruction techniques.  I am also fascinated by experimental boat building and how this could contribute to understanding early seafaring. This stems from experience building and paddling canoes and kayaks.

Another area that I am greatly interested in is historic graveyard studies and the role of grave monuments in commemoration and in particular the choice and selection of material. Part of this interest involves the distribution of particular gravestone types in island environments.  I have undertaken survey work in Ireland, UK and the Isle of Man and have taught graveyard recording at the Universities of York, Liverpool and the Centre for Manx Studies.  I like to support community archaeology projects and have been fortunate enough to be involved with a community graveyard research project in the Isle of Man organised by the Centre for Manx Studies.

I have also helped out on various projects including: Wolds research, auger survey with a local community group near York, and have supervised excavations on the Isle of Man, and supervised on the York training dig.