UCD School of Archaeology

Scoil na Seandálaíochta UCD

Dr Stephen Davis PhD

Contact Details

Title	College Lecturer
Address	School of Archaeology Newman Building Belfield Dublin 4
Telephone:	Ext. 8534
Email:	ei.dcu@sivaD.nehpetS

Biography:

I graduated in Botany with a BSc. (Hons. ) from the University of Reading in 1994 and after a brief spell as a molecular biologist headed to Sheffield to study Environmental Archaeology. I undertook a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University looking at lowland raised mires in NW England, particularly focusing on analysis of testate amoebae as an indicator in raised mire restoration schemes.

Following my PhD I moved to the University of Exeter and undertook a 3 year NERC postdoctoral fellowship working on palaeoenvironmental reconstruction from the floodplain of the River Culm, Devon with a specific focus on the analysis of insect remains. This research was followed by a Leverhulme Trust funded project to study insect remains from burnt mound sites with a view to ascertaining their function. I joined the staff at UCD in November 2006 as part of the departmental strategy to expand environmental archaeology within UCD.

In recent years I have become increasingly involved in remote sensing technologies, in particular LiDAR and multispectral satellite data, and their use in archaeological prospection. I have led projects at Brú na Bóinne WHS and, more recently, the Hill of Ward, Co. Meath, integrating LiDAR and geophysical survey to enhance our understanding of these important archaeological landscapes. I have also been involved in efforts to digitally record (through laser scanning and photogrammetry) the tombs of Knowth and Dowth in Brú na Bóinne, with a focus on inaccessible interior sections and on megalithic art.

Research Interests

My research interests lie in the fields of wetland archaeology and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in addition to archaeological prospection using remote sensing (lidar/satellite-based). I am particularly interested in the prehistory of the east of Ireland, both from a paleoecological perspective (pollen; insect remains) and also from a remote sensing viewpoint. In recent times I have focussed on the Boyne and its tributaries, with research projects in the Brú na Bóinne area, Fourknocks and the Hill of Ward.

Current Research Projects:

Boyne Valley Landscapes Project (Successively funded by INSTAR, Meath Co. Council and the OPW), including recent geophysical survey within the Dowth Estate
Irish embanked enclosures (initially funded by the Royal Irish Academy and involving collaboration with several researchers both within UCD and across Europe)
Analysis of environmental remains from the Drogheda Boat (DoE funded)
Laser scanning of passage tombs in Brú na Bóinne (OPW funded)
Hill of Ward Archaeological Project (Heritage Council, OPW and Meath Co. Council funded)
ArchaeoLandscapes Europe (http://www.archaeolandscapes.eu/). I am (along with Dr Rob Sands) a partner on the EU-funded ArcLand project, which seeks to make best use of remotely sensed data for archaeological prospection.

I am also engaged in a range of consultancy activities as an environmental archaeologist, in particular insect analysis, the analysis of testate amoebae and aspects of sampling and methodology.

Research Projects

Sponsor : The Heritage Council
Title : Archaeological analog insect assemblages from settlement reconstruction sites
Start Date / End Date : 01-APR-08 / 28-NOV-08

Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD)
Title : Establishing an insect reference collection in the School of Archaeology
Start Date / End Date : 17-MAY-10 / 16-NOV-11

Sponsor : The Heritage Council
Title : Hill of Ward Archaeological Project (Phase I)
Start Date / End Date : 23-MAR-12 / 30-NOV-12

Sponsor : Office of Public Works (OPW)
Title : Geophysical survey, Hill of Ward, Co. Meath
Start Date / End Date : 11-JUN-12 / 31-DEC-12

Sponsor : The Heritage Council
Title : Boyne Valley Landscapes Project 2010: Phase III
Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-10 / 10-DEC-10

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Book Chapters

O'Sullivan, M., Davis, S.R. and Stout, G. (2012) 'Henges in Ireland: New discoveries and emerging issues' In: Neolithic Enclosures (British Archaeological Reports series). Oxford: Archaeopress. [Details]

Megarry, W. and Davis, S.R. (2013) 'Beyond the Bend: Remotely Sensed Data and Archaeological Site Prospection in the Boyne Valley, Ireland' In: Space Archaeology. Leiden: ICAHM. [Details]

Davis, S.R.; (2012) 'The Palaeoenvironment of Brugh na Bóinne: Insights from Thomastown Bog, Co. Meath' In: Excavations at Knowth Volume 6. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]

Davis, S.R., Brady, C., Megarry, W. and Barton, K. (2012) 'Lidar in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site' In: Interpreting Archaeological Topography. Oxford: Oxbow. [Details]

Davis, S.R. (2012) 'Invertebrate remains' In: Roman Nantwich: a salt-making settlement. Excavations at Kingsley Fields 2002. Oxford: Archaeopress. [Details]

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Peer Reviewed Journals

Reilly, F., Brown, A.G., Davis, S.R., O'Brien, C.E. and O'Donnell, L. (2013) 'Possible evidence of textile processing at a burnt stone mound at Coonagh West, Co. Limerick'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, . [Details]

Bailey, G., Newland, C., Nilsson, A. and Schofield, J. with contributions from Myers, A. and Davis, S.R. ; (2009) 'Transit, Transition: Excavating J641 VUJ'. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, . [Details]

Davis, S.R., Brown, A.G. and Dinnin, M.H.; (2007) 'Floodplain connectivity, disturbance and change: a palaeoentomological investigation of floodplain ecology from south-west England'. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, 76 :276-288. [Details]

Davis, S.R., Wilkinson, D.M. and Clare, T.; (2007) 'Putative Ritual Deposition of Neolithic Stone Axes in a Wetland Context in Cumbria: Refining the narrative using beetle remains'. Journal of Wetland Archaeology, 7 :73-81. [Details]

Davis, S.R. and Wilkinson, D.M.; (2004) 'The conservation management value of testate amoebae as 'restoration' indicators: speculations based on the investigation of two damaged raised mires in northwest England'. THE HOLOCENE, 14 :135-143. [Details]

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Other Journals

Davis, S.R. (2011) 'The Unseen Hill of Ward' Archaeology Ireland . [Details]

Davis, S.R., Strange-Walker, D. and Abbott, M. (2012) 'Laser scanning at the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site' Archaeology Ireland . [Details]

Best, J., Gent, T. and contributions from specialists (including S.R. Davis); (2008) 'Bronze Age burnt mounds and early medieval timber structures' The Archaeological Journal . [Details]

Bailey, G., Newland, C., Nilsson, A. and Schofield, J. with contributions from Myers, A. and Davis, S.R.; (2008) 'Transit, Transition: Excavating J641 VUJ' Submitted to Cambridge Archaeological Journal . [Details]

Myers, A., Bailey, G., Newland, C., Schofield, J., Nilsson, A. and Davis, S.; (2008) 'Archaeology of the recent past - Excavating a 1991 Ford Van' The SAA Archaeological Record 8 (4) :37-40. [Details]

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Conference Publications

Davis, SR, Brown, AG, Dinnin, MH, ; (2007) JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY Floodplain connectivity, disturbance and change: a palaeoentomological investigation of floodplain ecology from south-west England , pp.276-288 [Details]

Davis, S.R. and Turner, J.N.; (2008) The Itrax Core Scanner IAI Conference 2008 [oral presentation] [Details]

Davis, S.R.; (2009) The Palaeoenvironmental Potential of Tara and its Environs UCD Tara Symposium [Details]

Holmes, N., Warren, G. Davis, S. and Turner J; (2010) Developing quantitative records of past climate and environment in Ireland: a palaeoecological, sedimentological and archaeological approach European Geosciences Union [Details]

Published Reports

Lewis, H., Gallagher, C., Davis, S., Turner, J., Foster, G., Courtney, L., Goucher, K., Scaife, R., Langdon, C., Holmes, N., Mulrooney, G., Allen, M.J., Brady, C., Guinan, L., Brown, A., Cummins, T. and Meehan, R. With Contributions by K. Barton, D. Lennon and Beta Analytic Inc. ; (2009) An integrated, comprehensive GIS model of landscape evolution and land use history in the River Boyne valley. Phase II Report 2009. The Heritage Council, Online.

[Details]

Davis, S., Megarry, W., Brady, C., Barton, K., Lewis, H., Mulrooney, G., Cummins, T., Guinan, L., Turner, J., Gallagher, C. and Meehan, R. With a contribution by Jordan, J.; (2010) Boyne Valley Landscapes Project. Phase III Final Report. UCD and Heritage Council, Dublin. [Details]

Davis, S.R.; (2008) Restoring Raised Bog in Ireland: Testate Amoebae as Bioindicators of Restoration Progress. Coillte, Ireland. [Details]

Reports

Lewis, H., van Breda, W., Mulrooney, G., Davis, S., Gallagher, C., Turner, J. and Brown, A.; (2008) An integrated comprehensive GIS model of landscape and land-use history in the River Boyne Valley and its catchment. Second interim report to the Heritage Council. Reports [Details]

Lewis, H., Gallagher, C., van Breda, W., Mulrooney, G., Davis, S., Meehan, R., Turner, J., Brown, A., Guinan, L. and Brady, C., with a contribution by Beta Analytic Inc.; (2008) An integrated comprehensive GIS model of landscape and land-use history in the Boyne river valley and its catchment. Final report to the Heritage Council. Reports

[Details]

Lewis, H., Davis, S., Gallagher, C., Turner, J., Guinan, L., Brady, C., Brown, A., Meehan, R. and Cummins, T.; (2009) An integrated, comprehensive GIS model of landscape evolution and land use history in the River Boyne valley: phase II: interim report 2009. Reports [Details]

Davis, S.R., Megarry, W., Brady, C., Cummins, T., Guinan, L., Meehan, R., Lewis, H., Turner, J., Brown, A.G.and Gallagher, C.; (2010) Boyne Landscapes Project - interim report to the Heritage Council. Reports [Details]

Honours and Awards

Year: 2007.
Title: Honorary Research Fellow

Conference Contributions

Davis, S.R. (2012) A day symposium themed on remote sensing in Quaternary Science. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Irish Quaternary Association Annual Symposium, Dublin , 30-NOV-12 - 30-NOV-12.

Davis, S.R. and Opitz, R. (2012) What next? Aerial archaeology as landscape archaeology. [Invited Oral Presentation], Aerial Archaeology Research Group, Budapest , 13-SEP-12 - 15-NOV-12.

Davis, S.R. and Brady, C. (2012) Day symposium presenting new research in the Boyne Valley. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Recent Archaeological Research in the Boyne Valley, Slane , 15-DEC-12 - 15-NOV-12.

Lewis, H., Gallagher, C., Davis, S., Turner, J., Foster, G., Courtney, L., Goucher, K., Scaife, R., Langdon, C., Holmens, N., Mulrooney, G., Allen, M.J., Brady, C., Guinan, L., Brown, A., Cummins, T., Meehan, R., Barton, K., Lennon, D. and Beta Analytic Inc.; (2009) 'Boyne River Valley Landscape Project Phase II'. [Invited Lecture], Culture, Environment and Change. Archaeological Research Seminar 2009, University College Dublin , 10-DEC-09 - 10-DEC-09.

Davis, S.R.; (2009) Testate amoebae as bioindicators of raised mire restoration. [Oral Presentation], National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration 2009, Los Angeles, California , 20-JUL-09 - 24-JUL-09.

Davis, S.R., Harland, J., O'Brien, C.E. and Stern, B.; (2009) Environmental Remains from the Drogheda Boat. [Poster Presentation], Association of Environmental Archaeology Spring Meeting, York, UK , 03-SEP-09 - 05-SEP-09.
Warren, G., Davis, S.R. and Holmes, N.; (2009) Palaeoclimatology and Archaeology of a Prehistoric Landscape in North Mayo. [Invited Oral Presentation], Cultivating Societies, Queens University Belfast , 21-NOV-09 - 21-NOV-09.
Warren, G., Holmes, N. and Davis, S.; (2009) Belderrig: Extreme weather, climate and history. [Oral Presentation], Theoretical Archaeology Group, Durham, UK , 17-DEC-09 - 19-DEC-09.
Warren, G., Holmes, N. and Davis, S.; (2009) Archaeology and Palaeoecology of a Prehistoric Landscape in North County Mayo. [Oral Presentation], Dealing with Neolithic Landscapes, Belfast , 21-NOV-09 - 21-NOV-09.
Davis, S., Holmes, N. and Warren, G.; (2009) Climate change and the adoption of agriculture in Ireland. [Poster Presentation], QRA Annual Discussion Meeting, Oxford, UK , 05-JAN-09 - 07-JAN-09.
Davis, S.R., Harland, J., O'Brien, C., Rutherford, M., Stern, B. and Schweizer, H.; (2010) Association of Environmental Archaeology conference. [Oral Presentation], AEA Conference 2010, Kyoto, Japan , 01-DEC-10 - 03-DEC-10.
Holmes, N., Warren, G. and Davis, S.; (2010) Palaeoecology, sedimentology and archaeology: investigating the environmental and human history of Belderrig, north Co. Mayo, Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Wetland Archaeology in Ireland and Beyond, Dublin, Ireland , 06-FEB-10 - 07-FEB-10.
Warren, G., Davis, S.R. and Holmes, N.; (2010) Mesolithic archaeology conference. [Oral Presentation], Meso 2010, Santander, Spain , 13-SEP-10 - 17-SEP-10.
Davis, S.R., Warren, G. and Holmes, N.; (2010) Association of Environmental Archaeology conference. [Oral Presentation], AEA conference, Kyoto, Japan , 01-DEC-10 - 03-DEC-10.
Davis, S.R., Warren, G. and Parnell, A.; (2010) An international conference discussing issues of dating in archaeology and palaeoecology. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], UCD Chronology Day, UCD , 06-AUG-10 - 06-AUG-10.
Sands, R.;Davis, S. (2011) The use of technology in the recording of archaeological sites, monuments and landscapes. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Technological Advances in Landscape and Heritage Management Recording: an Archaeolandscapes Europe one day symposium, University College Dublin , 12-AUG-11 - 12-AUG-11.
Lewis, H., Gallagher, C., Davis, S., Turner, J., Foster, G., Scaife, R., Langdon, C., Holmes, N., Allen, M.J., Barton, K., Lennon, D. and Brown, A.; (2011) The Boyne Valley Landscape Project: summary of environmental and geomorphological research. [Invited Lecture], Workshops on Japanese Archaeology: 'The Archaeology of River Valleys', DRAC Strasbourg , 03-DEC-11 - 04-DEC-11.
Davis, S.R. and Turner, J.N.; (2008) The Itrax Core Scanner. [Oral Presentation], IAI Conference 2008, Sligo , 10-OCT-08 - 12-NOV-08.
Davis, S.R., Brown, A.G. and O'Neill, J.; (2008) Co-organisor of session on 'Hot Stone Technology'. [Chaired Session], World Archaeological Congress, 2008 (WAC-6), Dublin , 29-JUN-08 - 04-JUL-08.
Davis, S.R. and Russell, I.; (2008) Co-organisor of the 'WAC-Fringe'. [Conference Organising Committee Member], World Archaeological Congress, 2008 (WAC-6), Dublin , 29-JUN-08 - 04-JUL-08.
Davis, S.R.; (2008) Testate amoebae as bioindicators of mire restoration. [Poster Presentation], Restoring Raised Bog in Ireland, Carrick on Shannon , 08-MAY-08 - 09-MAY-08.
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Committees

Committee : Journal of Irish Archaeology editorial board

Committee : Bru na Boinne World Heritage Site Research Framework - Palaeoenvironment

Education

Year 2001 Institution: Liverpool John Moores University
Qualification: PhD Subject: Applied Palaeoecology

Year 1997 Institution: University of Sheffield
Qualification: MSc Subject: Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy

Year 1994 Institution: University of Reading
Qualification: BSc Subject: Botany

Consultancy

Client: : Durham University Archaeological Services

Outreach Activities

UCD School of Archaeology Transition Year programme - activity leader

Reviews

Acta Protozoologica: Reviewer.

The Journal Of Irish Archaeology : Editor.

Internal Collaborators

I am currently involved in projects with Dr. Helen Lewis (Boyne Project) and Dr. Graeme Warren (Climate change and the adoption of agriculture) within the School. Within UCD I am also in collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Turner regarding innovative uses of the Itrax Core Scanner and grant applications concerned with establishing baseline conditions for alluvial woodland in Ireland. Along with Dr Rob Sands I am a partner in the EU-funded ArcLand project (http://www.archaeolandscapes.eu/), seeking to make best use of remote sensing data for archaeological prospection.

External Collaborators

External collaborations include:

Prof. Tony Brown, University of Southampton, UK regarding grant applications on the palaeoenvironment of the Scythian people in the Altai, in addition to baseline conditions of alluvial woodland in Ireland and alluvial geoarchaeology.
Named collaborators on the IRCHSS 'Climate change and the adoption of agriculture' are Drs. Gill Plunkett of QUB and Dr. Mat Wooler of the the University of Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Drogheda Boat project has fostered collaborations with a number of environmental specialists, including Dr. Jen Harland, University of York, UK, Dr. Charlotte O'Brien, Durham University and Dr. Ben Stern, University of Bradford
The Boyne River Project (Instar) Phase II has incorporated a number of new collaborators, including Dr. Jason Jordan, University of Coventry and Dr. Jean-Luc Schwenninger, University of Oxford
Phase III of the project has incorporated collaboration with the VISTA centre (University of Birmingham), and colleagues in DIT working on 3D modeling of monuments and game technology.
Recent projects have involved a number of researchers from the Centre for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas (in particular Dr Rachel Opitz), working on 3D scan data and processing of lidar datasets.
Work on Irish henges has involved collaboration with geophysical specialists (Kevin Barton, Ian Elliott, Christine Markussen, Joanna Leigh) and some geochemical analysis (Dr Johanna Ullrich)
Recent 3D scanning initiatives have involved working with Dr David Strange-Walker of Trent and Peak Archaeology and Marcus Abbott of York Archaeological Trust
The Hill of Ward survey was undertaken in collaboration with Dr Chris Carey

Teaching Philosophy

Teaching of practical subjects should be both student led and should rely on 'learning through doing' rather than by reading alone.

Sponsor : HEA/PRTLI Cycle 4 Grant Title : The Evolution of Landscape and Climate at the World Heritage Site, Bru na Boinne Start Date / End Date : 01-APR-09 / 31-MAR-13
Sponsor : The Heritage Council Title : A palaeoenvironmental resource assessment for the Tara region Start Date / End Date : 26-FEB-10 / 30-NOV-10
Sponsor : Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government (DEHLG) Title : Drogheda Boat Environmental Analysis Tender Start Date / End Date : 24-OCT-08 / 31-MAR-09
Sponsor : Coillte Teoranta Title : Testate amoebae as indicators of raised mire restoration. Start Date / End Date : 01-FEB-08 / 30-NOV-08
Sponsor : Office of Public Works (OPW) Title : Laser Scanning at Brú na Bóinne WHS Start Date / End Date : 01-JAN-12 / 30-NOV-12
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Davis, S.R. (2012) 'Invertebrate remains' In: Faverdale, Darlington. Dorset: Henry Ling Ltd. [Details]
Davis, S.R.; (2012) 'The Insect Remains from Knowth' In: Excavations at Knowth Volume 7. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
Davis, S.R.; (2012) 'Insect remains in wetland archaeology' In: Oxford Handbook of Wetland Archaeology. Oxford: OUP. [Details]
Lewis, H. Gallagher, C., Davis, S.R., Turner, J., Foster, G., Brown, A.G., van Breda, W., Mulrooney, G., Guinan, L., Brady, C., and Meehan, R. ; (2012) 'Developing a model of landscape evolution and land use history of the River Boyne' In: Excavations at Knowth Volume 6. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
Davis, S.R., Lewis, H., Foster, G., Turner, J., O'Donnell, L., Collins, B., McClatchie, M. and McCormick, F.; (2012) 'Environmental evidence from Knowth' In: Excavations at Knowth Volume 6. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
Wilkinson, D.M. and Davis, S.R.; (2005) 'An Introduction to Chat Moss' In: Crofts, R.G (eds). Quaternary of the Rossendale Forest and Greater Manchester. London: Quaternary Research Association. [Details]
Davis, S.R. and Wilkinson, D.M.; (2005) 'The environmental history of Astley Moss over the last 5000 years' In: Crofts, R.G (eds). Quaternary of the Rossendale Forest and Greater Manchester. London: Quaternary Research Association. [Details]
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Wilkinson, D.M. and Davis, S.R.; (2000) 'Rapid assessments of microbial biodiversity using relationships between genus and species richness. Studies on testate amoebae'. Acta Protozoologica, 39 :23-26. [Details]
Hodgson, J.G., Halstead, P., Wilson, P.J. and Davis, S.R. ; (1999) 'Functional interpretation of archaeobotanical data: making hay in the archaeological record'. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 8 (4):261-271. [Details]
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