Dr James O'Driscoll
- Lecturer in Geospatial Archaeology (Archaeology)
email:
James.ODriscoll@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns:
He/him/his
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8806-6394Biography
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8806-6394
Academia.edu: https://glasgow.academia.edu/JamesODriscoll
Research interests
Being a specialist in remote sensing, GIS, excavation practice and landscape archaeology has allowed me to have a diverse range of both practical and thematic research interests.
From a practical setting, I am interested in how new technologies can be used and integrated into archaeological practice. This includes:
- Satellite-based remote sensing for archaeology
- Large-scale applications of terrestrial geophysics
- Drone based survey
- Three-dimensional landscape modelling using LiDAR and photogrammetry
- Artefact laser scanning and 3D printing
- Analytical GIS and spatial analysis
I use these techniques to research a diverse set of thematic and period specific interests, such as:
- Early Neolithic farming communities in Ireland and Britain
- Bronze, Iron Age and early medieval hillfort landscapes in north-western Europe
- The Iron Age ritual complexes of Ireland and Northern Ireland
- Native proto-urban hilltop centres of Bronze and Roman Iron Age Britain
I have worked on a number of high impact projects including: The Atlas of British and Irish Hillforts, the Hillforts, the Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland project and the Comparative Kingship project. Some of my current projects include:
- Survey and Excavations in the Navan Fort landscape, Northern Ireland
- The Development of Bronze Age Proto Urban Centres in North-West Europe
- The prehistoric Baltinglass Landscape, Ireland
- The Neolithic cursus monuments of Ireland
- Early Neolithic Fringes: The Development of Enclosure in Ireland and Northern Britain
Publications
Prior publications
ORCiD
James O'Driscoll, (2024) Exploring the Baltinglass cursus complex: routes for the dead Antiquity (doi: 10.15184/aqy.2024.39); source: Crossref
James O'Driscoll, (2024) Defining the Sanctissimus: The Early Medieval Church Enclosures of Pictland Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O’Driscoll, (2023) Head for the Hills: Nucleated Hilltop Settlement in the Irish Bronze Age Journal of World Prehistory (doi: 10.1007/s10963-023-09172-8); source: Crossref
James O'Driscoll, (2023) In search of the Picts at Aberlemno British Archaeology ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2023) New zooarchaeological evidence from Pictish sites in Scotland: implications for early medieval economies and animal-human relationships Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2023) Radiocarbon dating of human remains from Navan Fort: their implications for understanding the wider ceremonial complex Journal of Irish Archaeology ; source: James O'Driscoll
O’Driscoll, J., (2022) CHEVAUX DE FRISE OF THE IRISH AND BRITISH ISLES Oxford Journal of Archaeology (doi: 10.1111/ojoa.12234)(eid: 2-s2.0-85124605230)(issn: 14680092 02625253); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2022) Rathgall: Piecing together the mosaic of a Later Prehistoric landscape Archaeology Ireland ; source: James O'Driscoll
Edouard Masson-MacLean, James O’Driscoll, Cathy McIver, Gordon Noble, (2021) Digitally Recording Excavations on a Budget: A (Low-Cost) DIY Approach from Scotland Journal of Field Archaeology (doi: 10.1080/00934690.2021.1970444); source: Crossref
O’Driscoll, J., Gleeson, P., (2021) Locating historical Dún Bolg and the early medieval landscape of Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section C: Archaeology, Celtic Studies, History, Linguistics and Literature (doi: 10.1353/RIA.2021.0003)(eid: 2-s2.0-85123640909)(issn: 20090048 00358991); source: Scopus - Elsevier
Noble, G., Evans, N., Hamilton, D., MacIver, C., Masson-Maclean, E., O’Driscoll, J., (2020) Dunnicaer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: a Roman Iron Age promontory fort beyond the frontier Archaeological journal (doi: 10.1080/00665983.2020.1724050)(eid: 2-s2.0-85086433626)(issn: 23732288 00665983); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2020) New dates for enclosed sites in north-east Scotland Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ; source: James O'Driscoll
O'Driscoll, J., Gleeson, P., Noble, G., (2020) RE-IMAGINING NAVAN FORT: NEW LIGHT ON THE EVOLUTION OF A MAJOR CEREMONIAL CENTRE IN NORTHERN EUROPE Oxford Journal of Archaeology (doi: 10.1111/ojoa.12198)(eid: 2-s2.0-85088137168)(issn: 14680092 02625253); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2020) Survey and excavation at an Iron Age enclosure complex on Turin Hill and environs Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ; source: James O'Driscoll
Hall, M., Evans, N., Hamilton, D., Mitchell, J., O'driscoll, J., Noble, G., (2020) Warrior ideologies in first-millennium AD Europe: new light on monumental warrior stelae from Scotland Antiquity (doi: 10.15184/aqy.2019.214)(eid: 2-s2.0-85079586904)(issn: 0003598X); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2019) A Case Study for Landscape Applications of Drone and Photogrammetry Techniques: Faha and Caherconree Hillforts Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2019) Fortified settlement in early medieval northern Britain and Ireland Hillforts: Britain, Ireland and the nearer Continent ; source: James O'Driscoll
O’Driscoll, J., (2019) Picture Perfect: Using Drone Technology and Photogrammetry Techniques to Map the Western Stone Forts of Ireland Journal of Field Archaeology (doi: 10.1080/00934690.2019.1570580)(eid: 2-s2.0-85061192521)(issn: 20424582 00934690); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2019) The Baltinglass hillfort cluster in the context of the Irish hillfort phenomenon: an initial view Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic archipelago and beyond ; source: James O'Driscoll
O'Driscoll, J., Hawkes, A., O'Brien, W., (2019) The Irish Hillfort Hillforts: Britain, Ireland and the Nearer Continent Papers from the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland Conference (eid: 2-s2.0-85119116646)(isbn: 9781789692273); source: Scopus - Elsevier
Noble, G., Cruickshanks, G., Dunbar, L., Evans, N., Hall, D., Hamilton, D., MacIver, C., Masson-MacLean, E., O'Driscoll, J., Paskulin, L., Sveinbjarnarson, O., (2018) Kinneddar: a major ecclesiastical centre of the Picts Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (doi: 10.9750/PSAS.148.1271)(eid: 2-s2.0-85106525550)(issn: 2056743X 00811564); source: Scopus - Elsevier
O'Driscoll, J., (2018) Landscape applications of photogrammetry using unmanned aerial vehicles Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.010)(eid: 2-s2.0-85053412677)(issn: 2352409X); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2018) Warfare and the burning of hillforts in Bronze Age Ireland Conflict archaeology: materalities of collective violence from prehistory to Late Antiquity ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2017) A multi-layered model for Bronze Age hillforts in Ireland and Europe Journal of Irish Archaeology ; source: James O'Driscoll
O’Driscoll, J., (2017) Hillforts in prehistoric Ireland: a costly display of power? World Archaeology (doi: 10.1080/00438243.2017.1282379)(eid: 2-s2.0-85013032242)(issn: 14701375 00438243); source: Scopus - Elsevier
O’Brien, W., O’Driscoll, J., (2017) Hillforts, warfare and society in bronze age Ireland Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland (doi: 10.2307/j.ctv1pzk180)(eid: 2-s2.0-85113580702)(isbn: 9781784916565); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2017) Ireland's 'hillfort capital' revisited Archaeology Ireland ; source: James O'Driscoll
O'Driscoll, J., (2017) Landscape prominence: Examining the topographical position of Irish hillforts using a cumulative viewshed approach Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.09.033)(eid: 2-s2.0-85030690163)(issn: 2352409X); source: Scopus - Elsevier
James O'Driscoll, (2016) Archaeological Investigations at Ballylin Hillfort, Co. Limerick North Munster Antiquarian Journal ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2016) Glanbane hillfort and the Bronze Age in Kerry Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2016) Grange stone circle, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick: geophysical survey at Stone Circles B, C and D and review of dating and phases of monument use of Circle B North Munster Journal ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2015) Archaeological investigations at Toor More (Corrandhu) hillfort, Co. Kilkenny Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2015) Hillfort construction at Baltinglass: building Irelands hillfort capital. West Wicklow Historical Journal ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2014) Archaeological remains and geophysical surveys at Lough Gur and Grange stone circle Irish Quaternary Association Field Guide No. 32 ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2013) Ballybrowney Lower — a geophysical survey Generations: Prehistoric Sites Volume 1: The Archaeology of Five National Road Schemes in County Cork ; source: James O'Driscoll
James O'Driscoll, (2012) A fulacht fiadh reconstruction at Rathbarry, Co. Cork. The Ardfield/Rathabarry Journal ; source: James O'Driscoll
Grants
Recent Grant Funding
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2023 - 2024) (PI) Title: Keadeen cursus excavation program. Amount: €20,000
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2023 - 2024) (PI) Title: Multi-isotope analysis of the Late Bronze Age ritual pool of the King’s Stables, Co. Armagh. Amount: £5,000
Funder: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (2022) (PI) Title: Large-scale LiDAR survey of the Baltinglass archaeological landscape, Co. Wicklow. Amount: €30,000
Funder: Wicklow County Council (2023 - 2024) (PI) Title: Subvention fund for a book titled: The Prehistoric Landscape of Baltinglass. Amount: £16,000
Funder: Historic Environment Division, Northern Ireland (2022 - 2023) (Co-PI) Title: Novel multi-sensor Ground Penetrating Radar survey at Navan Fort and Haughey’s Fort, Northern Ireland. Amount: £10,000
Funder: Armagh, Banbridge and Newry Council (2022 - 2023) (Co-PI) Title: Excavations at Navan Fort, Northern Ireland. Amount: £32,000
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2022) (PI) Title: Geophysical survey of the Creevroe earthworks: an undiscovered mega-hillfort in the Navan landscape Amount: £4,500
Funder: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (2022) (PI) Title: Large-scale LiDAR survey of the Baltinglass archaeological landscape, Co. Wicklow. Amount: €30,000
Funder: Royal Archaeological Institute (2022) (PI) Title: Boom towns or regional assemblies: the great hillforts of northern Britain. Amount: £5,000
Funder: Proceeding of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (2021) (PI) Title: Re-dating Bonchester Hillfort. Amount: £3,132
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2021) (PI) Title: Geophysical Survey at Haughey’s Fort, Co. Armagh. Amount: £1,960
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2021) (CO-PI) Title: Understanding the deposition sites of the Navan Landscape. Amount: £1,650
Funder: Historic Environment Scotland (2020) (CO-I) Title: The Citadel Project: Excavations at Burghead. Amount: £257,000
Funder: IRC/AHRC (2020) UK-Ireland Collaboration in the Digital Humanities Networking Call (CO-I) Title: Communicating Hidden Archaeological Monuments and Landscapes through Advanced Digital Technologies. Amount: £35,000
Funder: Römisch-Germanische Kommission (2019) Short Research Fellowship. Amount: £1,500
Funder: Heritage Council (2017) (PI) Title: Drone photogrammetry survey at Spinans Hill, Wickow. Amount: €4,000
Funder: Royal Irish Academy (2016) (PI) Title: Three-dimensional modelling of the Western Stone Forts. Amount: €4,735
Funder: Cork Historical and Archaeological Society (2014) (PI) Title: Geophysical survey at Cloughdub. Amount: €500
Funder: Kildare Historical Society (2013) (PI) Title: Geophysical survey at Brewel Hill, Co Wicklow. Amount: €1000
Funder: Irish Research Council (2013–2016) PhD scholarship Title: The Baltinglass landscape and the Bronze Age hillforts of Ireland. Amount: €70,500
Funder: University College Cork (2008–2010) Teaching Scholarship Title: An archaeo-geophysical survey of the Garranes ringfort landscape and environs. Amount: €11,000
Supervision
I welcome potential PhD and postdoctoral projects in any of the following areas:
- remote sensing and geophysical survey
- landscape applications of GIS and spatial analysis
- drone-based survey in archaeology
- Neolithic monumentality in North-Western Europe
- the development of urbanity in North-Western Europe
- hillforts
- later prehistoric landscapes in Ireland and Britain
- the archaeologies of prehistoric confilict
Teaching
The Archaeology of Scotland (Level 1) (Convenor)
GIS for Archaeological Projects (Honours and Masters) (Convenor)
Landscape Archaeologies (Masters)
Additional information
Qualifications
PhD Archaeology: University College Cork 2013-2016 (1 of 245 PhD scholarships (18% success rate) funded by the Irish Research Council in 2013, of which 110 were humanities based
- Title: The Baltinglass Landscape and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland
- External examiner: Sir Barry Cunliffe
- Funding: Irish Research Council
HDip Geographical Information Systems: University College Cork 2013-2014
- Funding: Department of Archaeology, UCC
MPhil (first class honors) Archaeology University College Cork 2008-2010: (funded by the Department of Archaeology, UCC as part of a teaching scholarship)
- Title: An Archaeo-geophysical Survey of the Garranes Ringfort Landscape
- External examiner: Dr. Robert Johnson
- Funding: Department of Archaeology, UCC
BA (Hons) (first class honours) Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation Studies: University College Cork 2005-2008
