Dr. Conor Brady

2022 | Journal article

Murín, Igor (author)
Neumann, Martin (author)
Brady, Conor (author)
Bátora, Jozef (author)
Čapo, Matej (author)
Drozd, Dominik (author)

2014 | Journal article

This paper reports on an international remote sensing field school for postgrad archaeology students held on the Hill of Slane, Co. Meath. Participants received tuition in a range of techniques including grid layout using total stations, surface collection survey, magnetic gradiometry, magnetic susceptibility, earth resistance, electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, terrestrial laser scanning and kite aerial photography. Data processing and report preparation was also covered and valuable new data relating to the archaeology of the site was obtained.

Brady, Conor (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)

2013 | Conference paper

This poster presents ongoing investigation into the archaeological potential of airborne and terrestrial remote sensing data from the Boyne Valley, eastern Ireland. The dataset being investigated (Tellus Border Project) was collected during low-level (59m agl) surveys for regional environmental mapping purposes completed in 2012. Magnetic, electromagnetic and radioelement data were recorded and defined background geo-environmental values for rock, soil and water. The combination of sensors provides geophysical and geochemical parameters used to define regional soil/land types or zones. These zones are examined for possible correlations with ‘archaeological zones’ or zones of archaeological potential. Comparative legacy remote sensing, geological and archaeological datasets include multi-spectral imagery, aerial photography, LiDAR, ground geophysics, geological and soils data and monument locations. Based on the current results the next step will focus on more detailed studies in the Boyne Valley. This work partly addresses (at a landscape scale) issues discussed by David Jordan at AARG 2012 – “A Geoarchaeologist’s View of Aerial Archaeology”

Barton, Kevin (author)
Brady, Conor (author)
Meehan, Robert (author)

2013 | Book chapter

Davis, Stephen (author)
Brady, Conor (author)
Megarry, William (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)

2013 | Book chapter

The ‘Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend in the Boyne’ (usually known as Brú na Bóinne) is one of only two current UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland and arguably its best known archaeological landscape, which contains the great Neolithic mounds of Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. This chapter outlines what is known of the area and discusses analysis of lidar coverage of approx. 90 km2 acquired in 2006 to better inform management of the WHS and to further research in this important landscape. Detailed analysis of this dataset using multiple visualisation techniques (standard analytical hillshade; multi-direction hillshade; Sky View Factor; Local Relief Modelling) was undertaken in 2010–11, revealing a range of new features of potential archaeological interest, including apparent route ways, hollow-ways, embanked enclosures and quarries, as well as providing significant new detail to some already well-known monuments. The applicability of these techniques in this landscape of subtle relief and low earthen banks, is critiqued below. Selected areas, including two previously unrecorded large enclosures (> 100 m in diameter) were targeted through geophysical survey, corroborating and enhancing the lidar-based picture. The use of viewshed analysis is explored, highlighting the importance of tomb visibility against views from the tombs, demonstrating that a Neolithic boat traveller’s first view of the ritual landscape is likely to have been of Newgrange, while all three great tombs would only have been visible from the very apex of the Bend. Finally, while lidar data have provided a wealth of new information regarding the landscape of Brú na Bóinne attention is also drawn to significant recent discoveries which exhibit no topographic expression.

Brady, Conor (author)
Davis, Stephen (author)
Megarry, William (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)

2013 | Conference paper

Newgrange Passage Tomb is 76m in diameter and 12m high. A single 19m inner passage leads to a chamber some 6m in diameter and height. The possibility of further chambers existing has been the subject of interest since the partial excavation completed in 1975. Multiple passageways and chambers exist at nearby tombs at Knowth and Dowth - could there be hidden chambers at Newgrange that could be detected using geophysical methods? We present the results from a multi-method geophysical survey. The principal method used was microgravity which has found hidden cavities in the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt. The method has also been used to detect the presence of medieval crypts but there has been little research in the use of microgravity in the detection of chambers in mounds due to their generally small dimensions. The situation in mounds at Brú na Bóinne is different. The major chambers have quite large dimensions, thus enhancing the detection capability of microgravity. A computer simulation to predict the gravity anomaly over the Newgrange chamber was carried out. This showed that the calculated effect on gravity of the chamber volume together with its depth within the mound would produce a measurable negative gravity anomaly. The key objective of the survey was to investigate the potential of the microgravity method in the initial detection of the known chamber and subsequently in searching for possible hidden chambers. The processing and interpretation of the microgravity survey was informed by ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography, multi-frequency electromagnetic and earth resistance results. Initial gravity measurements were made over and in the vicinity of the known chamber. The position of each measurement point was precisely determined using a combination of differential GPS and laser tachymetry methods. Strong winds at the time of survey required windshields to be used to protect the instruments from gusts and each measurement was verified by repeat readings. The average error from ...

Barton, Kevin (author)
Pašteka, Roman (author)
Brady, Conor (author)
Zahorec, Pavel (author)
Papčo, Juraj (author)
Murin, Igor (author)

2012 | Conference paper

This poster presents details of the units delivered as part of an international field school in practical and applied methods of archaeological survey. The field course was undertaken as part of the Hill of SLane Archaeological Project (HoSAP). Nineteen students from eleven different countries participated in the week-long field school which took place between 8th and 13th April 2012. Techniques taught on the course included basic grid layout and recording using a total station, surface artefact survey. Geophysical techniques covered included magnetic gradiometry, earth resistance, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar. Other techniques taught during the course included kite aerial photography and terrestrial laser scanning. Off-site data processing sessions were held on each evening of the course and a number of follow-up online sessions were also held some time after the event. Feedback from students was very positive and the work undertaken contributed to the aims of the HoSAP, particularly in demonstrating the existence of archaeological material indicative of activity outside the core area of the hilltop from at least prehistoric times.

Barton, Kevin (author)
Brady, Conor (author)

2012 | Conference paper

Results from the first use of the Geophysical Exploration Equipment Platform (GEEP) in Ireland in carrying out a multi-sensor survey in the vicinity of a possible Neolithic passage tomb known as Site E in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. Brú na Bóinne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been an important ritual, social and economic centre for thousands of years. Much research has been undertaken in the area, including large-scale excavations at the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. However we still lack an in-depth understanding of the site’s broad range of archaeological monuments, and the landscape and communities that shaped them. To date there has been no systematic large-scale use of ground geophysical techniques although a number of successful spatially discrete geophysical surveys have been carried out. The landscape has many large, open fields under pasture or tillage suitable for systematic large-scale ground geophysical survey. Such a survey, integrated with the interpretation of other available remote sensing data is an obvious next step in the investigation of this internationally important landscape. The evaluation was successful and the results from the GEEP dataset will be presented with a comparative study of data collected by traditional hand-carried magnetic gradiometry, earth resistance and magnetic susceptibility surveys.

Hill, Ian (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)
Brady, Conor (author)
Williams, Liam (author)
Krajňák, Martin (author)

2012 | Book

The Hill of Slane Archaeological Project (HoSAP) was set up in 2010 as a way of exploring the archaeology, history and cultural heritage of this important but somewhat overlooked archaeological complex. The hilltop is the location of a number of important stone ruins, ecclesiastical in nature while is also the site of a significant motte castle as well as a possible prehistoric barrow. This preliminary report details the second phase of archaeological survey work which includes topographic survey, LiDAR analysis and geophysical survey. The main aims are firstly to gather data on the nature of the surviving monuments and secondly to identify low relief or subsurface traces related to these and other features in the complex

Brady, Conor (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)
Seaver, Matthew (author)

2012 | Other

This report details the first phase of archaeological and geophysical survey at the Hill of Slane Co. Meath. The work represents the first systematic survey of the complex in modern times and was undertaken in 2011/12 and uses new remote sensing technologies like LiDAR, Worldview 2 multispectral satellite imagery, aerial photography and archaeological geophusics. Specific aims of the project and the fieldwork were to explore the evidence for features of a possible prehistoric date in the complex, to identify evidence of features remaining from the historically attested monastic foundation at the site, to explore evidenece of the Anglo-Norman occupation of the site and to identify features associated with the later development of the site related to the standing structures visible there today.

Brady, Conor (author)
Barton, Kevin (author)
Seaver, Matthew (author)