Dr Barra Ó Donnabháin
Dr Barra Ó Donnabháin graduated with a masters degree in Archaeology from University College Cork and subsequently carried out doctoral studies in Anthropology at the University of Chicago. His primary research interests are in bioarchaeology, death and commemoration, the Celts and the archaeology of identity. His current research is focussed on migrations in the North Atlantic in the Viking period. He is responsible for the Department’s taught Masters programme in Human Osteoarchaeology.
Current Research
His current research includes a project on skull collection and display in Viking Age and Medieval Ireland, which developed from his study of the Wood Quay human remains. The ‘Immigrants and Indigenes’ project is the first ancient DNA project in Ireland that uses archaeologically-retrieved human remains as its data base. Dr Ó Donnabháin is also working on the analysis of his excavations at Liscahane, Co Cork, an important site with ex-situ early bronze age material, reused ogham stones and early medieval settlement with souterrain. Other projects include a osteoarchaeology study connected to recent excavations at Ardfert, Co. Kerry, which produced one of the largest collections of skeletal remains available from Ireland that spans the early medieval to early modern periods.
