About
2008
In May 2008, the international collaborators for the database met in Leiden, attended by Kirsti Hänninen (BIAX Consult), Caroline Vermeeren (BIAX Consult), Dr. Otto Brinkemper (Cultural Hertage Agency, formerly RACM), Dr. Ingelise Stuijts (Discovery Programme) and Birthe Stuijts (ranketing). This meeting demonstrated the need for international standardised data collection, both in Ireland and other European countries. Various concepts for the structure of the database were discussed, including who will have access to it and the level of detail required. A report on the first findings and concepts was produced by ranketing GmbH.
Dr. Ingelise Stuijts has appointed two research assistants, Lorna O’Donnell and Susan Lyons to work on the first phase of the database construction. A meeting was held in June 2008 to discuss the various steps required within the first phase. The research is currently based in the Discovery Programme. Following discussion between the contributors, it was concluded that one integrated wood and charcoal database as opposed to two separate ones is the optimum way to manage the data.
The current feasibility study to create a wood and charcoal database is to be a collaborative effort between the Discovery Programme, IWAA, Universities and the commercial sector in Ireland and Europe. In July meetings are scheduled with D.I.T., Allan Hall and A.D.S. to discuss the development of the project. In September, the project will be displayed as a poster at the AEA conference in Denmark and at IV Meeting of Anthracology in Brussels.
Questionnaires will be distributed to all people involved with excavated wood and charcoal in Ireland, to determine the viability of the project, and to assess the amount of unpublished material within the country. This will be followed by more detailed questionnaires regarding the various fields necessary within the database to be created. The results of the study were submitted to the Heritage Council in December 2008.
