Dr. Marion Dowd
Dr. Marion Dowd is a Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo since 2005. Prior to this she was a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at UCC, and she worked for several years with Eachtra Archaeological Projects in Kerry and Cork.
Marion's research focuses on the many ways in which caves were adapted, utilised and perceived over the entire duration of human occupation of Ireland, from the Early Mesolithic through to the present day. While concerned primarily with the archaeological evidence, she believes in a multi-disciplinary approach and draws on folklore, history, early literary sources and ethnography to provide a more holistic and nuanced understanding of caves.
She has over 20 years excavation experience on sites from all archaeological periods, and has directed excavations in Glencurran Cave and Moneen Cave, both in the Burren, Co. Clare - sites with Bronze Age ritual activities as well as medieval horizons. "Archaeological excavations in Moneen Cave, the Burren, Co. Clare: insights into Bronze Age and post-medieval life in the west of Ireland" (Archaeopress, 2016) is her first excavation monograph, and she has published numerous excavations as journal papers. Other sites she directed include Dunmore Cave, Co. Kilkenny and Knocknarea Cave K, Co. Sligo
Saturday 2 November
14:00
Death rituals in the dark: Excavation of a Neolithic mortuary site on Bengorm Mountain, Co. Mayo
Ballycroy Community Centre