28th November 2002

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University of Ulster Vice-Chancellor, Gerry McKenna, last night launched a groundbreaking publication charting the maritime archaeology of Strangford Lough.

The book entitled Strangford Lough: An Archaeological Survey of the Maritime Cultural Landscape, charts the results of a pioneering five-year study.

The research throws new light on the coastal dwellers around the lough and challenges preconceptions about the knowledge and skills of our ancestors-excavations at Nendrum, for example, revealed a seventh-century tidal corn-mill that demonstrates a previously unknown level of engineering sophistication.

The book is also the basis of a TV production called Between the Tides, which will broadcast, by UTV on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Co-author, Tom McErlean from the UU’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology said: “This lavishly illustrated book presents the results of an intensive survey of the foreshore of the Lough commissioned by the Heritage Environment Service and carried out by members of the Centre from 1995-2000. It graphically demonstrates the great archaeological richness of the intertidal zone.

“Many outstanding discoveries were made including the earliest example of a tidally powered corn mill found so far in the world and dated by dendrochronology to 619 AD as well as a large number of wood and stone tidal fish traps dating from the 7th to the 13th century.”

Strangford Lough: An Archaeological Survey of the Maritime Cultural Landscape, was written by Tom McErlean, Rosemary McConkey and Wes Forsythe. The publication is priced at £25.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk