KCHS 1979

Archive for December, 2009

This comprehensive guide to Irish archaeology on the web is geared to meet the information needs of both for the interested layman and the professional archaeologist. The offerings include an mail directory for Irish archaeology supplying E-mail addresses of archaeologists involved in Irish research at home and abroad, Archaeological and historical journals in Ireland (some with lists of contents), and the Newsletter of the Irish section of the Paleopathology Association (on-line edition). Come here for information on Current research, specific regions and individual sites, Monuments, Artifacts, Industrial archaeology, Excavations and other projects, Universities, Government institutions, Museums, Local societies, People engaged in Irish archeology, Books and other publications, Photographs, and Conferences, summer schools, tours and other events. Be sure to check out the link named “A Brief Guide To Irish Archaeological Sites,” which features illustrated details on Wedge Tombs, Ceremonial enclosures, Bronze Age Burials, Barrows, Cairns, Stone Circles, Fulachta Fiadh, Ringforts and Cashels, Souterrains, Medieval Moated Sites, and Mottes. Further exploration will yield beautiful photographs and descriptions of the Ahenny and Kilkieran High Crosses near Carrickon-Suir, which date from the 8th Century. The North Cross at Ahenny is perhaps the most fascinating with its symbolism and detailed tracery (including old celtic patterns of intercalary and spirals), but the North Cross at Ahenny is also quite interesting and alluring.

The Swedish Archaeological Excavations at Carrowmore (1977- 1982) revealed a series of data that made possible alternative explanations to the appearance of the megalithic tradition in Ireland and Europe, as well as the underlying settlement-subsistence systems. The importance of the rich marine resources to the megalith-building population in the Knocknarea area was strongly emphasized. The investigation highlighted the complicated, and artificial, boundary between the Mesolithic and the Neolithic periods, suggesting a slow, local, successive transformation, rather than a migration of farmers. The archaeological results were strongly supported by the paleoecological studies in the area. The remarkably early dates from the three tombs that produced datable material, tombs nos 4, 7 and 27, placed Carrowmore among the earliest megalithic cemeteries in Europe, and thereby in the world, and stressed the necessity of a re-thinking of the Irish megalithic tradition. The results from the Carrowmore excavations have since gained strong support from excavations in other areas in Europe, notably Brittany in France, where a series of dates now show that the megalithic tradition in western France began already before 5000 B.C., and that the underlying economy was heavily oriented towards marine resources. Come to this fascinating web site for more details and engaging photographs of the “dig”.