Iron Age Ireland
The Iron Age in Ireland is a time period with very scant
archaeological evidence, mainly consisting of metal objects like horse bits and
weapons. Hillforts were thought to be the ceremonial sites of the time however,
some of these, such as Emain Macha, originate from the late Bronze Age (Cooney, 2000). Raftery (1994),
who studied this period intensively, remarks on the rarity of burials and
settlement sites in his chapter ‘The Invisible People’. Lynn (2003) suggests that the
inhabitants of Iron Age Ireland dwelled in circular wicker huts and were largely
nomadic, meeting at festivals at tribal centres such as Tara or Cruachan. He
grounds his suggestion in an absence of evidence for a sedentary life-style,
such as pottery, for the period, in addition to the presence of evidence for
transportation (trackways, horse bits) and combat (swords). In addition, he
proposes that the ancient sagas, written down in the early medieval period,
portray the Iron Age culture of Ireland: nomadic and warlike. This is confirmed
by Warner (2006).
Corlett and Potterton (2012) compiled a volume of recent Iron Age findings from excavations in Ireland, shedding new light on this period. The evidence mainly includes hearth sites and postholes however, roundhouses also occur. Unenclosed dispersed settlements seemed to be increasing during the era. The study area of their project comprised mainly the south-east and the south-west of Ireland. In addition, Fredengren (2000) reports the discovery of two crannogs dating to the early Iron Age at Lough Gara along with a bog body, a La Tène sword, a fibula and a Y-shaped pendant in close proximity, indicating early Iron Age activity in this area. She postulates that crannogs were used during the period. For the region of this study however, no Iron Age finds have been recorded, partly due to the general dearth of evidence for this period, as mentioned above.
Corlett and Potterton (2012) compiled a volume of recent Iron Age findings from excavations in Ireland, shedding new light on this period. The evidence mainly includes hearth sites and postholes however, roundhouses also occur. Unenclosed dispersed settlements seemed to be increasing during the era. The study area of their project comprised mainly the south-east and the south-west of Ireland. In addition, Fredengren (2000) reports the discovery of two crannogs dating to the early Iron Age at Lough Gara along with a bog body, a La Tène sword, a fibula and a Y-shaped pendant in close proximity, indicating early Iron Age activity in this area. She postulates that crannogs were used during the period. For the region of this study however, no Iron Age finds have been recorded, partly due to the general dearth of evidence for this period, as mentioned above.