A Scientific Analysis of Ancient Human Remains from Ballyshannon, County Donegal

The Ballyhanna Project, is a major research partnership between the School of Science, Institute of Technology Sligo and the Department of Archaeology and Paleoecology, Queen’s University Belfast. The proejct .came about as a result of the discovery of an unknown medieval cemetery in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal unearthed as part of an excavation on a section of a new stretch of motorway by the National Roads Authority ( NRA).

The project is funded by the National Roads Authority.

Excavations at the Ballyhanna Cemetery

Context
Archaeological test excavations carried out in 2003 along the proposed N15 Bundoran-Ballyshannon bypass resulted in the discovery of the ruined remains of an unknown medieval church and graveyard in Ballyhanna on the outskirts of Ballyshannon, County Donegal.

Among largest amount of medieval remains ever excavated in Ireland
Subsequent excavations over the course of 6 months in 2003/4 resulted in the full excavation of approximately 1286 human skeletons, in various states of preservation including a significant number of juveniles. This represents one of the largest assemblages of medieval human remains ever excavated in Ireland.

the skeletal assemblages are thought to date from the 11th-13th century AD. Exact dates of the various phases of burial will be confirmed by Carbon 14 dating which will be carried out at Queen’s University Belfast as part of the project this year.

The remains are currently curated in Institute of Technology Sligo. There are currently two Scientists and one Archaeologist employed on the project. The three principle areas of the project include Osteological Analysis, Archaeological Chemistry and Biomolecular Archaeology.

Skull analysis…

Osteological Analysis
Research Student: Ms Catriona McKensie
Supervisor: Dr Eileen Murphy
Research Assistant completed: Ms Roisin McCarthy

Catriona McKenzie, who is currently undertaking her PhD research on the adult skeletons from Ballyhanna, has now completed the analysis of these c. 850 individuals. She was assisted with this task by Roisin McCarthy.

Dr Eileen Murphy has completed the osteological analysis of the c. 350 non-adult skeletons, with the assistance of Claire McGranaghan at Queen’s University Belfast.

Considerable evidence of TB
Among the most interesting findings, were numerous cases of tuberculosis amongst the adults. In addition, at least one child displayed lesions characteristic of the disease – the lesions had affected his/her entire skeleton and had caused major destructive changes. It is probable that he/she would have died as a consequence of the disease. It is intended to undertake DNA work on these cases to see if we can learn more about the pathogen that had infected the people at Ballyhanna- for example, had they suffered from the animal (caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis) or human (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis) form of the disease. This work will be undertaken in conjunction with Dr Jeremy Bird and Sheila Tierney at IT Sligo and Dr Mike Taylor of University College London.

Also interesting was the fact that some individuals showed signs of major bone destruction due to general infections. In a number of cases these gross infections would probably have been secondary to an injury, such as a compound fracture. It would seem in these cases that the infections had overwhelmed the individuals and had probably been the cause of their death. Unlike modern Irish people, the Ballyhanna individuals would not have had the luxury of treating infections with antibiotics.

Scurvy due to lack of vitamin C
Numerous young children displayed lesions characteristic of scurvy. This condition is due to vitamin C deficiency and is often associated with sailors in the past, whose long trips at sea prevented their access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

The evidence of scurvy and the frequent signs of childhood iron deficiency anaemia have the potential to provide major insights concerning childhood diet and health. Previously, definitive cases of scurvy have rarely been identified in the archaeological record for Ireland.

Ballyhana Skeleton

Two individuals displayed the characteristic lesions of multiple hereditary exostoses (otherwise known as diaphyseal aclasia), which causes large growths to occur at the ends of the bones, and is colloquially known as ‘bumpy bone’ disease. The condition is known to have a definite genetic origin and it generally affects more than one member of a family. Modern sufferers are known to experience pain at the sites of the lesions, interference with normal movement, impinged nerves – including compression of the spinal cord – and the risk that the bone growths would become cancerous.

The presence of two individuals with the condition at Ballyhanna raises many interesting questions concerning the attitudes of that society to the disabled as well as evidence for possible family relationships.

Skeleton from Ballyhanna

Trauma injuries caused by weapons
Quite a number of the adults displayed evidence of trauma – in most cases the presence of clear cut and chop marks on the bones suggests the blows had been dealt with bladed instruments, such as swords and knives. In addition to the affected adults, three teenage boys also displayed signs of weapon injuries and this may help provide us with an insight as to the age when individuals became eligible to fight … although it is of course possible that they were simply the victims of attack rather than active fighters themselves.

Moving into a new phase – Formulating overall impressions
Work on this major population is ongoing and is not due for completion until 2010. Now that the analysis is complete it is necessary to synthesise and undertake statistical analysis on the results so that we can gain an overall impression about how many individuals were affected by particular diseases, and address questions including, differences in how males and females or the different age groups were affected by the different diseases. We will also be undertaking x-ray analysis of individuals with particular diseases so we can gain a more detailed understanding of how the lesions have affected the bones. Another main objective at this stage of the project is to refine the chronology of the site by obtaining radiocarbon dates from a number of the individuals. This work will be undertaken in the CHRONO laboratory of Queen’s University Belfast imminently. The osteological research has shown that all members of society are represented at Ballyhanna – from premature babies to the elderly – and we believe the results really have the potential to provide major insights concerning the lives and deaths of the people buried at Ballyhanna.

Skeletal remains of lower jaw from Ballyhanna

Biomolecular Analysis
Research Student: Ms. Sheila Tierney
Supervisor: Dr. Jeremy Bird

The aim of this research was to extract and amplify ancient DNA (aDNA) from the archaeological skeletal remains excavated from this cemetery. Our hope was that by using a biomolecular approach we would be able to establish a simple method of sexing individuals in skeletal assemblages, with specific interest in juvenile remains which may not be reliably sexed by conventional osteological methods.

Determining the sex of human remains relies on recording the differences between male and female skeletons, the pelvis and the skull being the main sex indicators. However morphological sex determination can only be conducted with an acceptable degree of accuracy on adult skeletons. Sexing juvenile and fragmentary skeletal human remains using existing osteological methods can provide ambiguous and unreliable results. At the age of puberty males and females begin to develop differences in the pelvis, and it is these differences that can later be used by osteologists to identify the sex of an adult individual. Before this age, however, juveniles exhibit little sexual dimorphism, which means that the skeleton of a young male will not differ substantially from that of a young female.

Fragmentary adult remains, on the other hand, may lack the crucial sex indicators that are needed to determine their sex. Developments in molecular biology in recent years have provided methods for extracting and analyzing DNA from archaeological remains and thus have presented archaeologists with the opportunity to establish the sex of such assemblages using DNA analysis.

As there is currently no existing osteoarchaeological methods that can accurately sex juvenile human remains, using DNA based sex identification methods such as PCR, Agarose gel electrophoresis and Real Time PCR, are ideal methodologies to aid in the sex determination of human juvenile remains.

Ancient DNA analysis

‘Ancient DNA’ is the term which describes DNA fragments that are recovered from archaeological and palaeontological remains. This technique of retrieving DNA from such ancient or archaeological sources has been typically called ancient DNA analysis (aDNA analysis). Ancient DNA analysis has developed exponentially ever since its birth more than twenty years ago. Methods developed in this research area have not only benefited archaeology but have also had an affect on population genetics, forensics, conservation biology, spread of infectious diseases and medicine.

Research Objectives:

• Analysis of a selected number of adult assemblages from Ballyhanna for the presence of ancient DNA.
• Validate methodology for PCR based sex identification by amplification of the amelogenin gene on X and Y chromosomes on assemblages of known sex.
• Confirmation of the X and Y amelogenin allele identities.
• Determine sex of juvenile assemblages using the validated PCR amelogenin amplification.
• Quantify ancient DNA using Real-Time PCR

Archaeological Chemical Analysis
Research Student: Ms. Tasneem Bashir
Supervisor: Dr. Ted McGowan

Enquiries to:
Dr Jeremy Bird,
School of Science,
Institute of Technology,
Sligo

Email: bird.jerry@itsligo.ie

IT, Sligo Lecturer Dr. James Hanrahan’s new work develops the first baseline study of host community participation in sustainable tourism planning at Local Authority level in Ireland.

The principal aims of this book are to critically examine host communities’ current participation in sustainable tourism planning and to determine the extent to which sustainable tourism planning is evident within Local Authorities CDPs in Ireland.

A multi-method approach was used, incorporating interviews with planners in Local Authorities across Ireland. The findings bring into question the ability of the Local Authorities to plan for tourism in a sustainable manner, in which host community participation plays a vital role.

Book free and downloadable
The new work is free and downloadable at: http://www.ecopoliticsonline.com/doc_Repo/1239629622291.pdf

Email: hanrahan.james@itsligo.ie
Phone: 0719155438

The Educational Development Unit (EDU) in collaboration with Learning Innovation Network (SIF cycle 1 fund) hosted a one day seminar on advanced thinking and learning skills. The session was fully booked with 25 IT Sligo staff participating in the event.

IT, Sligo staff busily engaged in advanced thinking and learning

Key themes of the day included:

• The brain, thinking and learning: how it works and how knowing this can inform how people think, learn and work more effectively.
• How to Mind Map – what is it and how to use this versatile tool to manage information, make notes and improve thinking and planning
• Speed reading – how the eye and brain work together and how to dramatically improve reading speed, comprehension and information retention. Use of The ‘Intelligent Strategy for Effective Acquisition of Knowledge System’ ( INSEAK®)
• Memory principles and rhythms – principles of effective memory, how people remember (and forget!) during and after learning and how to remember anything you need to.
• Learning to learn: how we learn new skills and how to make that easier.

IT, Sligo’s Heather James and Brian Mulligan demonstrating how to keep balls in the air…

Twofold purpose
The seminar had a twofold purpose- a’ train the trainer’s’ emphasis to train staff to use these techniques themselves, but also empower students to develop these techniques as an integral approach to learning.

Participants reported dual benefits from the day – personal benefits in planning and delivering content, bu als for assessing learning and its outcomes.

Follow up sessions were requested and handouts from the day will be available shortly on the Educational Development Unit (EDU) website.

The Institute would like to extend a special thanks to the Learning Innovation Network for funding the seminar.

L-R: Dr. Attracta Brennan (Learning Innovation Network), Hayley Kennedy ( Illumine Training), Dr. Etain Kiely, (IT, Sligo EDU, Stephanie Donnegan (Quality Manager IT,Sligo), Chris Lewis ( Illumine Training) and Dr. Brendan McCormack, Registrar, IT, Sligo.

For further information on the work of the EDU at IT, Sligo, contact:
Dr. Etain Kiely

Phone: 0719155411
Email: kiely.etain@itsligo.ie

Justin Knecht presents to over 60 companies at a recent event at IT, Sligo

At a recent event, Justin Knecht of IT, Sligo’s Centre for Design Innovation offered this informative presentation about the art of Innovation…what it is and how exactly do you approach ‘innovating’ a practice considered as part of any company’s survival kit in the 21st century…Let Justin take you on an illustrated tour of the process…

Click here for more information

Sligo’s major Design Innovation Resource

The Centre for Design and Innovation is based at IT, Sligo’s Business Innovation Centre. For more information on the work done by Justin and colleagues at the Centre see website.

More on Justin:

Justin Knecht joined the Centre for Design Innovation from Crayola in the US where he was Senior Manager of Creative Services, responsible for global branding, packaging development, POS and Internet services. Prior to Crayola, Justin was co-founder of AOV in Philadelphia, developing over 20 award-winning websites for a range of regional, national and international clients. He has worked as a freelance designer, writer, film editor, photographer, and has spoken at a number of conferences, companies and events including SEEdesign, HOW, Hallmark Cards, DMI, Thinking Creatively Conference, Oracle, the Macromedia User Conference and the Allaire Developers Conference.

Contact Details:
Justin Knecht,
Programme Manager

Office: 071 9155496
Mobile: 087 2043716
Email: justin@designinnovation.ie

Three IT, Sligo Players were selected on this season’s Premier League All Star team. Congratulations to:
Annie Lynskey(Office Admin Year 1), Patricia Coyle (Health & Physio Year 1), Noelle Gormley(BBS4)

Congratulations also to IT, Sligo’s busy coaching team, in particular the dedicated Francis O’ Regan for all their success. Fran notes the qualities that has taken these players to the top : ‘Two of the players – Annie Lynskey and Patricia Coyle are first year students. Annie made an immediate impression. She scored 8 goals in 12 games and her skill level made a huge impression in all games she played in. Patricia Coyle was outstanding in her first season with IT Sligo. She dominated mid-field, displaying great passing and skill. She scored 5 goals in 13 games from mid-field. Noelle Gormley was excellent in central defence. A real leader on the pitch, she scored 3 goals in 12 games.

For more information on Women’s Soccer at IT, Sligo contact:
Francis O’ Regan

Email: oregan.fran@itsligo.ie
Phone: 071-91 55362

Institute engages cutting edge approach to leadership and team building

Lt. Col Paddy McDaniel, Officer Commanding the 28th Infantry Battalion and Commander or Irish UN mission to Chad speaks to IT, Sligo staff on Leadership.

In an original and highly innovative exercise in staff training and team building, a group of 25 members of the Registrar’s staff at IT, Sligo, went to visit the 28th Infantry Battalion at Finner Camp, Co. Donegal last month.

The Institute, keen to draw on cutting edge leadership and team building techniques, approached the Defence Forces, who in recent years have put these specially designed and developed cutting edge techniques into practical operational uses in trouble spots all over the globe. In return, they have gained for Ireland’s small army, a reputation as one of the most professional and successful of peacekeeping bodies in the world since the founding of the UN.

The objectives of the Away Day Sessions are to:

• Build teamwork and leadership
• To engage with key regional stakeholders
• To look at best practice in training and development.

L-R: with Army personnel IT, Sligo’s Eileen Curley, International Officer, Dr. Michelle Connolly, Programme Manager, Research Alliance Network Manager and Padraig Cuffe, Student Services Manager.

Benefiting from hard won experiences, the Institute staff saw how these are achieved on an ongoing basis ‘on the ground’ through:

• An overview of Ireland’s Peacekeeping Mission in Chad
• A demonstration of equipment and training
• A presentation on Team Building and Leadership
• A Panel discussion on team building in an academic/ administrative setting.Padraig eyes the target

IT, Sligo’s Padraig Cuffe,eyes locked on the target…!

Commenting at the session’s close, Dr. Brendan McCormack, Institute Registrar stated, ” We are very impressed by the professionalism of the Defence Forces and have developed a better understanding of the challenges of peacekeeping duties. The Irish Defence Forces have developed an international reputation for excellence in peacekeeping duties and we are delighted to see at first hand some of the training which supports this outstanding reputation.”

L-R: Stephanie Donnegan, Quality Manager, IT, Sligo and Sarah Fay Administrator, ITSBIC taking it all in…

Education key factor in Army’s success
Lt Col Paddy McDaniel, Officer Commanding the 28th Infantry Battalion, singled out education as one of the key factors in developing the professionalism of the Irish soldier. ” We are fortunate to have some of the best educated soldiers in the world. Our recruits are well educated and endeavour to enhance their education through programmes of training and development. Well educated soldiers provides an edge in peacekeeping missions in complex and challenging environments.”

Seminar Draws Manufacturing Engineering Personnel Together In Northwest
LotusWorks collaborated with the School of Engineering, Institute of Technology Sligo on Thursday last, 26th March, to deliver a half day seminar themed “Engineering Out Costs”

L-R: Tony Walsh, Maintenance Manager Wyeth Biopharma Campus, Grange Castle Dublin; Padraig Philips, Maintenance Manager, Abbott Ballytivlan; Joe Foley, Factory Manager, Ireland Fab Operations, Intel Leixlip, DublinJustin Knecht, Centre for Design Innovation, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Business Innovation Centre and Connor Flanagan, MD Lotus Technical Services, at ‘Engineering Out Costs’ seminar at Institute of Technology, Sligo. (Photo Declan Bray)

Keynote speakers at the event were engineering personnel from leading multinational manufacturers including Wyeth, Abbott and Intel. The companies showcased cost saving initiatives and efficiency improvement. These solutions have been adopted successfully by their companies to assist in ensuring competitiveness in today’s challenging environment. ‘Engineering Out Costs’ was attended by engineering experts from over sixty manufacturers in the Northwest, West and Midlands making it one of the biggest events of its kind in the region for some time.

Opening the event, Professor Terri Scott, President, IT, Sligo commented: “Innovation is the key to success in challenging times. IT, Sligo is delighted to partner with LotusWorks in hosting this seminar which showcases examples of engineering innovation across Ireland’s most iconic companies. As the largest third level education provider in the region, IT, Sligo is taking a leadership role in promoting innovation. We will collaborate with industry and support agencies to promote an enterprise culture to maximise the potential for growth across the region”.

L-R: Padraig Philips, Abbott Sligo; Tony Walsh, Wyeth Biopharma , Niall McEvoy, Head of Technology Transfer & Innovation, Institute of Technology, Sligo; Emer Conroy, Marketing & Communications, LotusWorks and Joe Foley, Ireland Fab Operations, Intel Leixlip. (Photo Declan Bray)

Connor Flanagan MD Lotus Technical Services stated: ‘For two decades now, Lotus Technical Services has been delivering outsourced engineering services to the manufacturing and process industries here in Ireland & the U.S. We understand the challenges faced by manufacturing companies and assist by delivering solutions to help meet those challenges.

He developed this further: ‘ Despite the size or scale of the company, remaining competitive and cost efficient is a shared common goal of manufacturing organisations today. We realise there is value in organising a seminar on engineering cost reduction solutions. Taking into account the current economic climate, this event presents an opportunity for engineering personnel to share practices and ideas, to network and to perhaps gain new information on how best to remain competitive and reduce costs. Local manufacturers will benefit from the expertise of larger multinational manufacturers”

IT, Sligo- largest online School of Engineering
Niall McEvoy, Technology Transfer and Innovation Manager at IT, Sligo commented ‘The School of Engineering at IT Sligo includes the largest Online School of Engineering in Ireland. This event in partnership with LotusWorks brings local and international technical expertise to businesses in the North West. I t ensures that engineering work practices are innovative and cost effective maintaining positive bottom line figures.

He concluded that ‘ LotusWorks is an example of a company set up in Sligo that has grown internationally and this seminar sees them bringing some of the benefits home to other engineering companies in the North West’

Connor Flanagan, MD Lotus Technical Services, shares some international learning at ‘Engineering Out Costs’ seminar at Institute of Technology, Sligo today. (Photo Declan Bray)

Emer Conroy
Marketing & Communications Executive
LotusWorks

Phone: +353 (086) 8575194
Email: econroy@lotusworks.com
Website: www.lotusworks.com

Double and Doubles Champion- It, Sligo’s Chris Doolan

Dominant Doolin wins two national titles in the space of seven days…

Continuing on the remarkable successes of the past here at the Institute, our Handballers were again successful in recent competitions.

IT, Sligo 4th year Business student Christopher Doolin.The Handballer from Roscommon Town won not one, but two Junior 40 x 20 All-Ireland Titles in the space of the last seven days!

Last weekend Chris along with his St.Coman’s clubmate Aengus Cunningham, secured the All-Ireland Junior Doubles Title, defeating the Cork pairing of Donnacha O’Dea and Michael Murphy 21-18, 21-7 in Moycullen Co. Galway.

Last weekend, the IT Sligo Handball Club player completed his fairytale mission, with an emphatic win over Offaly man David Hope at Abbeylara, Co Longford in the Junior Singles. Winning in two straight games 21-10, 21-7, Doolin completely dominated the match with a display of superb kills and passing shots. With performances like these Chris has every reason to look forward to a bright future in the game.

McCann and Brady celebrate shock victory

Former Student pulls off shock of the year
Former IT Sligo Environmental Science student Joe McCann from Ballaghadereen and clubmate Dessie Keegan produced the shock of the Handball year when they defeated World Champion Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan from Co. Cavan in the All-Ireland 40 x 20 Senior Doubles Final in Kilkenny on Saturday last. The Cavan pair had won the Title for the last four years and were red hot favourites again this year, however McCann (now employed at Abbots, Sligo) and Keegan produced a powerful performance, winning 21-19, 9-21, 21-19 to take the Title in one of the most exciting finals in years.

For further information about Handball at IT, Sligo contact:
Seamus Duffy

Phone: 071-91 55261
Email: duffy.seamus@itsligo.ie

Healthy Eating Organisers

The ‘healthy eating day’ held in the college in March by students from Public Health & Health Promotion in conjunction with the Students Union proved to be a great success. There was great interest shown throughout the day in the information stand developed by the Health Promotion students.

The events for the day kicked off with the distribution of free fruit, seeds and water from the information stand. The real excitement came in the form of the ready steady cook competition that was enjoyed by all in the canteen on the day with participation from the students ensuring its success on the day. The winner was ultimately decided by a vote from the canteen audience using there red tomato and green pepper cards with the winner receiving €50 which was kindly sponsored by the Students Union.

This event was followed by a cooking demonstration from the two chefs on the day a handful of students got to enjoy the delicious healthy meals prepared by the chefs on the day. The day was a great success and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making it the Healthy Eating Day the success it was.

L-R: Louis McManus, Lecturer in History of Art and Design IT, Sligo; Prof. Claudia Tamburelli Lecturer Prof. Antonio Musiari Nuala Maloney, Lecturer in Fine Art IT, Sligo and Prof. Prof. Antonio Musiari Prof. Antonio Musiari on their recent visit to Sligo.

Prof. Antonio Musiari and Prof. Claudia Tamburelli, Lecturers from the Fine Art and Design Academy (Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti) in Turin visited IT, Sligo on Tuesday and Wednesday 24th/25th March 2009, as part of a TS Erasmus visit to Ireland.

As visiting lecturers, they gave presentations to Fine Art staff & students on the subject matter of ‘What is an Original Print?’ and showed to the audience a variety of examples of experimental studio work by their own Printmaking students.

During their visit they also availed of the opportunity to make contact with the International Office and Art/Design related courses here, including the Performing Arts students, with the intention of setting up study and work-based collaborations between the two Institutes.