Sir, - Contrary to what Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council, states (The Irish Times, March 10th) archaeologists do not employ a "hit or miss" method of locating archaeological remains when testing sites. All archaeological testing and monitoring must be sanctioned by Duchas and the National Museum of Ireland, and each site is dealt with on a case by case basis. The position of test trenches is determined only after an exhaustive study of the site, which includes detailed background research. The results of this research, together with a method statement, detailed maps, and drawings showing the exact position of the test trenches, is then submitted to the Licensing Section of Duchas. Only after the licence application has been scrutinised by archaeologists within Duchas and the National Museum of Ireland will an archaeologist be issued with a licence to carry out work on the site.
In Ireland archaeology is a State-controlled profession. No other professional body is so tightly controlled. An archaeologist may not carry out work which involves the archaeological monitoring of a site, the excavation of test trenches or full excavation of a site without first being issued with a licence. A full and detailed report of all work carried out must then be forwarded to both Duchas and the National Museum.
Archaeologists do indeed embrace new assessment techniques such as geo-physical survey. However, the accuracy and efficacy of geo-physical surveys can vary from site to site. Such surveys must be backed up by test excavations to ascertain the existence of archaeological remains.
All of the above is carried out to protect our archaeological heritage and to ensure developers are not unnecessarily held up, particularly at a late stage of development work. By liaising closely with developers, and under the guidance of the licensing section of Duchas and the National Museum, archaeologists work to high professional standards ensuring that "archaeological treasures" are not lost as Michael Starrett suggests, but that every care is taken to protect our archaeological heritage which is a non-renewable resource. - Yours, etc.,
Sylvia Desmond, MA, MIAPA, Milltown, Dublin 6.