Dr Kieran Westley joins COARS
We are delighted to announce that Dr Kieran Westley has joined Coastal and Offshore Archaeological Research Services (COARS). Kieran is a widely published specialist in maritime and coastal archaeology with over 10 years of experience.
Kieran's research experience is focused in two principal areas:
- The investigation of submerged prehistoric landscapes using geophysical, geotechnical and archaeological techniques . His work to date has been conducted principally in Newfoundland (Canada) and the north of Ireland, and includes both landscape-scale survey, mapping and palaeogeographic reconstruction as well as site-scale survey and excavation. A particular highlight includes the first systematic attempt at prospection for, and excavation of, a submerged Mesolithic site on the island of Ireland.
- Assessing the vulnerability of coastal archaeological sites to future erosion and sea-level rise . To date, this has included local-scale assessments for selected case study zones in Newfoundland (Canada) and a provincial-scale assessment covering the entirety of Northern Ireland’s coastline.
In addition to his academic research Kieran has considerable experience in developer-led archaeology, having provided maritime archaeology-related services to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency including the regulatory assessment of applications for development in the coastal and marine zones under Marine Licencing legislation. Additional work included desk-based assessment and field survey projects to enhance the province’s coastal and maritime Historic Environment Records (HERs), including multi-period maritime landscape surveys, offshore geophysical and dive surveys, GIS-based vulnerability assessment of Northern Ireland's coastal archaeological sites, and assessment of marine geophysical data for shipwreck and submerged landscape research, as well as a range of outreach activities aimed at promoting maritime archaeology.
Kieran's appointment within COARS will primarily focus on the delivery of the North Devon and Cornwall Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey and is an exciting development demonstrating COARS' ability as a leading provider of maritime archaeological services to both research and commercial sectors.