Dr Nora Bermingham

PhD, University of Hull 2005
MSc, Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy, University of Sheffield, 1993
BA (Hons), Archaeology and Greek & Roman Civilization, University College Dublin, 1990

Member

E-mail: nbermingham@ipean.ie
Phone: +353-85- 8068476

Expertise

Secondary expertise

Biography

I am an environmental archaeologist specializing in reconstructing wetlands, particularly raised bogs.  Since completing my PhD in 2005 I have focused on the completion of large scale stratigraphic surveys and high resolution analysis of peat-cores using testate amoebae and plant macrofossils.  Major projects include survey of the wetland fringing a Mesolithic crannog at Lough Kinale for the Discovery Programme and modeling the landscape and palaeohydrology of the archaeological complex at Edercloon, Co. Longford for the National Roads Authority.  I have worked in wetlands since 1990 and have extensive wetland archaeology experience having completed several surveys and excavations of archaeological sites in industrial peatlands between 1994-1999 with the former IAWU.  This culminated in the excavation and publication of the remains of a bog body from Tumbeagh Bog (2006).   I have international experience having worked on wetland excavations in Denmark and the UK.  My combined expertise as archaeologist and palaeo-environmentalist means I provide tailored project designs and detailed final reports.

I completed my Masters in environmental archaeology in 1993 and specialized in the analysis of animal bones from archaeological sites.  I have examined and reported on collections from a wide range of site types and environmental contexts including medieval Dublin and other urban contexts; wetland rural sites including a crannog and medieval pit-fall trap; dryland sites including ringforts, burnt mounds and burials.  I have also analyzed material from UK sites and spent a season as on-site analyst for excavations in Troy, Turkey with the University of Tubingen, Germany. 

Publications

Books

Bermingham, N. & Delaney M. (2006) The Bog Body from Tumbeagh. Wordwell, Bray.
Moloney, A., Bermingham, N., Jennings, D., Keane, M., McDermott, C. & O Carroll, E. (1995) Blackwater Survey and Excavations, Artefact Deterioration in Peatlands, Lough More, Co. Mayo. Trans. IV, IAWU. Crannóg Publications, Dublin.

Chapters in books

Bermingham, N. (forthcoming) Various chapters in J. O’Sullivan (ed) The Quiet Landscape: Excavations on the N6, Galway. NRA Monograph.
Bermingham, N. (2006) The Tumbeagh Bog Body and a Consideration of Raised Bog Archaeology in Ireland. In M.C. Lillie & S. Ellis (eds) Wetland Archaeology: Local Issues and Global Perspectives. Oxbow Books, Oxford.
Bermingham, N. (2001) The Peat Stratigraphic Record of the IAWU, 37-42. In B. Raftery & J. Hickey (eds) Recent Developments in Wetland Research. Seandálaíocht: Monograph 2, Department of Archaeology, UCD and WARP Occasional. Paper 14. Dublin.

Articles

Bermingham, N., Plunkett. G., Reilly, E. & Stuijts, I. (2009) Revealing the Ancient Environment on the N4, Edercloon, Co. Longford. Seanda. NRA Archaeology Magazine.
Bermingham, N. (2002) Report on the animal bones (Appendix 3) in J. Eogan ‘Excavations at a cairn in Coolnatullagh townland, Co. Clare’. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 42, 113-150.
Bermingham, N. & Delaney, M. (2000) The Tumbeagh Bog Body. Institute of Field Archaeologists Yearbook and Directory of Members 2000. IFA, 40-42.
Bermingham, N. (1999) The Tumbeagh Bog Body. Sceal na Móna 24, 13.
Bermingham, N. (1997) The current position of the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit. NewsWARP 7, 21.
Bermingham, N. (1997) A unique archaeological site in Garryduff Bog. Sceal na Móna 15, 13.
Bermingham, N. (1995) The faunal remains from the investigations at Lough More, Co. Mayo, 185. In A. Moloney et al. Blackwater Survey and Excavations, Trans IV. IAWU, Crannog Publications, Dublin.
Bermingham, N. (1995) The animal bones, St Michael & St John’s, 85-86. In L. Simpson Excavations at Essex Quay West, Dublin. Temple Bar Archaeological Report No.2. Temple Bar Properties Ltd, Dublin.
Bermingham, N. (1994) The animal bones, Isolde's Tower, 77-78. In L. Simpson Excavations at Isolde's Tower, Dublin. Temple Bar Archaeological Report No.1. Temple Bar Properties Ltd, Dublin.
Hamshaw-Thomas, J. & N. Bermingham (1993) The Animal Bones from Wilcote. In A. Hands ‘A Roadside Settlement in Oxfordshire’, British Archaeological Reports 232.