The Prehistory of the Irish Sea Province (11)

Award

PhD Research Bursary, full time for three years.

Supervisors/Schools:

Dr Gary Robinson (main supervisor) (School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology)
Professor Raimund Karl (School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology)
Professor Nancy Edwards (School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology)

Description of Project:

This bursary will be focused on prehistoric archaeology in line with the School’s planned projects on the Neolithic and Bronze Age Irish Sea province (e.g. Neolithic monuments; Understanding copper mining in Wales and beyond; the social context of Bronze Age Copper mining in Wales). The project will concentrate on a landscape archaeology / history or material culture study examining an aspect of social practice during the earliest stages of Welsh (pre)history. Interdisciplinary collaboration will primarily be with the Schools of Ocean Sciences, Environment and Natural Resources and Computer Sciences. A possible specific topic would be a study of houses, funeral and ceremonial monuments of the Neolithic in the Irish Sea province.

The planned projects focus on the Irish Sea as a conduit enabling communication and exchange, rather than as a barrier inhibiting contact. One major aspect is to improve our understanding of how the sea was used, understood and seascapes socially constructed during prehistory. Already ongoing research is examining contacts between Kintyre and Ireland between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age (see http://southernkintyreproject.blogspot.com/), with further strands to be added, including the research by the successful candidate.

Supervisory Team

Dr Gary Robinson has a primary research interest in Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain and Ireland with a strong secondary focus on landscape and seascape archaeology. He is currently completing a major co-authored monograph (with V. Cummings, UCLan) on collaborative fieldwork in Kintyre and an edited volume on the human habitation of the sea.

Professor Raimund Karl is primarily interested in the emergence of 'Celtic' societies between late prehistory and the mediaeval period and archaeological theory, with a secondary focus on the heritage industry. He is currently working on finalising three major monographs ('Becoming Welsh - the emergence of Welsh societies c. 1200 BC - AD 1200', 'The legacy of logical positivism in German-speaking archaeology' [in German], and 'Archaeological Heritage Management in Austria – Practice and Problems' [in German]).

Professor Nancy Edwards is primarily interested in Early Medieval Wales, with a secondary interest in the work of Welsh antiquarians from the 17th century onwards and how their research relates to changing perceptions of Welsh identity. She is currently in the process of finalising a major monograph on early mediaeval stone sculpture in North Wales, the third in a highly acclaimed, groundbreaking series of studies of the subject for all of Wales.

For full details of the terms and conditions of this award see.

Queries prior to a formal application concerning this research project should be addressed to:
Dr Gary Robinson
Tel: 01248 382156 / 382144
E-mail: g.robinson@bangor.ac.uk

Application:

Anniversary Scholarships Application Procedure

The application deadline is 28th October 2010.

Candidates should have a first class or good 2.1 honours degree in Archaeology or History or a related subject and should normally either have completed or be completing an MA in a relevant subject.

To apply, please complete an on-line University Postgraduate Application Form available here.

To complete an application, you must include with the Postgraduate Application Form a statement of not more than 500 words of how you could contribute to and develop the chosen research project. You should include reference to relevant previous experience, including both academic study and other experience.

* YOU MUST MAKE CLEAR that you are applying for a Bangor University Anniversary Scholarship by writing 'ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIP' then THE PROJECT TITLE in answer to Question 3, under Check list Item 5 'Are you applying for a Bangor University advertised research project / studentship? If so, please write the full project title here:' Please also include the project code here (found in brackets after each project area above).