Susan Curran

Background

About Susan Curran

Having reached management level in my previous career path (Accounts Payable), I made the decision in 2007 to re-train and qualify as an archaeologist. I first undertook a BA in Archaeology, and then an MA in Archaeology (part-time) with UCD. The 5 years of study culminated in an MA Thesis which examined early medieval settlement in Leitrim and Roscommon through the use of LiDAR and GIS. Using ArcGIS in addition to a range of other resources, the LiDAR dataset was manipulated to systematically survey and record the region's early medieval landscape against the backdrop of Matthew Stout's seminal work, The Irish Ringfort. The project identified 150 potential 'new' archaeological monuments, and used these discoveries to assess Stout's model of landscape organisation, and attempt to reconstruct early medieval settlement organisation within the study area. I completed a PhD in Archaeology with UCD School of Archaeology (supervised by Dr. Stephen Davis) funded by the Irish Research Council. Commencing in October 2013, the project is entitled: Hidden Depths and Empty Spaces? A remote sensing approach to the exploration of settlement patterns, identity and social hierarchy in early medieval Ireland (AD400-1100).