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The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) has urged the Government
to ensure that no large commercial or residential development
is allowed along the route of the controversial M3 motorway.
In addition, the forum, made up of practising archaeologists,
has said that excavations carried out along the motorway route
in Co Meath - which runs near the hill of Tara - were performed
to the "highest professional standards".
Last week it was claimed that archaeologists were told to
alter their reports to minimise the importance of ancient
sites found during excavations - a claim denied by the National
Roads Authority (NRA). The WAC has said that it would carry
out a report to "sift out" any "misinformation" in relation
to the controversial road project.
In a statement just issued, following a week-long gathering
at UCD (Click
Here), the organisation said it was opposed to any
further development along the stretch of motorway in the Tara/Skryne
Valley and called on the Government to develop protection
measures for the site.
"Tara has significance far beyond Ireland itself" - President
of the WAC, Professor Claire Smith said. "Its iconic significance
derives from its unique cultural character ... The WAC strongly
encourages the Irish Government to instigate formal protection
measures for this area and to consider nominating Tara for
inscription as a World Heritage Site.
"Prior to the holding of the sixth World Archaeological
Congress, we sent two senior representatives to look at the
issue of the motorway. They found that all the archaeological
work has been done to the highest professional standards."
A stakeholders' meeting held to discuss the motorway heard
"competing and often contradictory claims" and the WAC had
decided to commission a report on the Tara discussions so
that lessons could be learned.
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