+  home  +  introduction  +  research  +  staff  +  news  +  contact
+ research themes  Research at the CMA is structured under the broad theme of maritime cultural landscapes - extending from riverine and lacustrine environments to the open ocean, with a primary emphasis on coastal and nearshore archaeology. CMA archaeologists and geoscientists are engaged in research in Ireland, UK, East Africa, Canada and western Europe. For recent highlights, please see the news page. + theme 1: coastal and freshwater cultural landscapes Research focused on coastal settlement, exploitation, defence and communication within the coastal strip, foreshore and sub-tidal regions. Multidisciplined investigations are conducted using conventional archaeological survey techniques supported by marine and terrestrial geophysics, aerial photography, scientific diving and spatial mapping. more + theme 2: historical archaeology Historical archaeology research is primarily focused on the Later-Medieval and Post-Medieval periods of Ireland and Scotland, examining issues relating to historic shipwrecks, Gaelic Lordship and later coastal settlement. more + theme 3:  marine geoarchaeology Research on the application of geological and geophysical techniques to the evolution and reconstruction of submerged archaeological sites. Three sub-themes are explored: shipwreck site formation processes, the geophysical signatures of submerged archaeological materials and Holocene landscape evolution. more	viking ship sketch, dublin [wallace 1988]