The Use of GIS in Determining the Role of Visibility in the Siting of Early Anglo-Norman Stone Castles in Ireland (BAR British Series)

This work examines the effectiveness of the use of GIS and GIS viewsheds as tools in the study of medieval castles in Ireland. To date, archaeological usage of GIS viewsheds has centred on prehistoric funerary sites. Little work has been done using GIS in relation to medieval castles, a subject and time-frame which is well documented. To date, no work has tested GIS and viewshed analysis across a wide comparative sample of castles. This study uses GIS to examine the visibility of and the views from structures about which much is known. A comparable set of twenty sample castles were taken from a particular period in one social/geographical context, the first century of English lordship in Ireland. Research objectives included exploring the priorities of the first three generations of Anglo-Norman castle builders in Ireland, by determining if there are patterns in site choices. Specifically the project aims to establish whether visibility may have played a role in the siting of these castles. Examines The Effectiveness Of The Use Of Gis And Gis Viewsheds As Tools In The Study Of Medieval Castles In Ireland. To Date, Archaeological Usage Of Gis Viewsheds Has Centred On Prehistoric Funerary Sites. Little Work Has Been Done Using Gis In Relation To Medieval Castles, A Subject And Time-frame Which Is Well Documented. To Date, No Work Has Tested Gis And Viewshed Analysis Across A Wide Comparative Sample Of Castles. This Study Uses Gis To Examine The Visibility Of And The Views From Structures About Which Much Is Known. A Comparable Set Of Twenty Sample Castles Were Taken From A Particular Period In One Social/geographical Context, The First Century Of English Lordship In Ireland. ... Research Objectives Included Exploring The Priorities Of The First Three Generations Of Anglo-norman Castle Builders In Ireland, By Determining If There Are Patterns In Site Choices. Specifically The Project Hoped To Establish Whether Visibility May Have Played A Role In The Siting Of These Castles.--abstract, P. Iv. Lisa Karen Mcmanama-kearin. Illustrations, Maps, And Plans In Pdf Files On Accompanying Dvd-rom. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (ph. D.)--queen's University Belfast, 2010. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 157-164). 01 02 03 04 05.1 05.2 05.3 05.4 05.5 05.6 05.7 05.8 05.9 05.10 05.11 05.12 05.13 05.14 05.15 05.16 05.17 05.18 05.19 05.20 Introduction Gates Great hall Lord’s chambers 06 07 08 09 10 11 Front Cover Title Page Copyright Front Matter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABSTRACT NOTES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES Part I Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 GIS and Archaeology Chapter 3 Boundaries of the two approaches Chapter 4 Data used Part II Chapter 5 Corpus of castle research Part III Chapter 6 Implications of the analysis Chapter 7 General siting of castles Chapter 8 Projective views of the three communities within the castle Chapter 9 Reflective views of the two communities outside the castle Chapter 10 Conclusions Bibliography