[mudmonkey]

I would like to make it known that a crannog site in Co. Fermanagh will be destroyed within a week.

An excavation has been undertaken on the site for the past six weeks however the timescale set for the dig (4-6 weeks) was hopelessly inadequate. The result being that come the deadline, this Friday 20th, the archaeologists will be forced to leave this important site, with perhaps half the archaeology unexcavated and unrecorded, and the heavy plant machinery will move in and obliterate it.

I realise that this is a forum based in the Republic and not in the North but all attempts to involve the relevant agencies in this jurisdiction have been redundant.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to sway the Roads Authority and the NIA towards giving this rare crannog excavation the time needed to be completed and recorded properly?

[slowburner]

Obviously, the more people that know about it, the better the chance of some form of an extension to the deadline.
Sorry to say that I wouldn't be too optimistic about the chances of any sort of campaign - with only two days left.
Your only chance now is to raise awareness in the media, and for that you'll have to get on to the phone.

Of course there are other legitimate ways to protest, but this is not the place to discuss them.

[mudmonkey]

I agree, the chances of getting an extension are slim to none. However, if we can raise awareness of the inadequacies performed by the Road Service and the NIA to the archaeology in this instance the outcome for other sites may not be so dire.

[mudmonkey]

Also, I do not believe that an out-and-out protest is the way forward, it only antagonises and deepens disrespect. I do think that people should be informed of the way the authorities disregard our important sites in this manner. Nobody wants to stop the road being built nor even have it rerouted, just the opportunity to excavate and record thoroughly and properly.

[M three]

Have you a link? What road is being built that goes over this site?

[mocmo]

Here is Robert Chapples blog about the situation, he will be on BBC Ulster in the morning talking about the site

http://rmchapple.blogspot.ie/

and a link to some photos;

https://plus.google.com/photos/11663...COCFm_Tg1ZCLSg

[mudmonkey]

The fate of the crannog has been decided and it is not a happy one. The archaeologists were granted 2-3 extra days and the site will then be left for destruction by machines. With over 50% of the archaeology still in the ground the loss of potential information is nothing less than an atrocity.
Shame on NIA, what are they being paid to do?

[richban]

The Heritage Journal (UK based) seem to campaign for such sites and might help you spearhead an attack!
http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/

If EU money is even partially funding road there may be an argument for allowing completion of excavation. Maybe contact the local MEP.

The photos are great - best of luck

[richban]

The Heritage Journal (UK based) seem to campaign for such sites and might help you spearhead an attack!
http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/

If EU money is even partially funding road there may be an argument for allowing completion of excavation. Maybe contact the local MEP.

The photos are great - best of luck

[slowburner]

Originally Posted by mudmonkey

The fate of the crannog has been decided and it is not a happy one. The archaeologists were granted 2-3 extra days and the site will then be left for destruction by machines. With over 50% of the archaeology still in the ground the loss of potential information is nothing less than an atrocity.
Shame on NIA, what are they being paid to do?

How was the extension achieved?
It is a sorry state of affairs. This link (although a different situation) shows just how long a detailed excavation of a crannóg could take.

Is there any way that an appeal to a higher authority could be made?
Might there be some EU mechanism to provide a stay of execution?
I feel sure that a clever lawyer could find something here http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/html/143.htm
Without doubt, the spirit of the EU convention has been thrown out the window.

[munchkin_utd]

slight tangent, but dont builders take their holidays at this time of year meaning there is going to be a 2 or 3 week stop on any construction work in August anyhow?
Surely they could wait till after this break which would give the archiologists a fighting chance of recording a decent amount of what is there.

I fear their worry is that something valuable or interesting will be found that would throw the project into doubt, so the less time there is to dig the less chance there'll be something interesting found !

[mudmonkey]

'Cherrymount Crannog Crisis' group page now on facebook

[mocmo]

Positive news, construction has been halted to allow the excavation to be completed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19053339

[slowburner]

Originally Posted by mocmo

Positive news, construction has been halted to allow the excavation to be completed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19053339

Good news indeed..
It sounds like a site with a story to tell.
Any idea on what swayed the authorities?

[richban]

well done to MUDMONKEY - great result to all concerned!