First published 1990. First published in paperback 1996 by B. T. Batsford Ltd. Reprinted 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 by Routledge.
In the first major work on the subject for over 30 years, Nancy Edwards provides a critical survey of the archaeological evidence in Ireland (c. 400-1200), introducing material from many recently discovered sites as well as reassessing the importance of earlier excavations. Beginning with an assessment of Roman influence, Dr. Edwards then discusses the themse of settlement, food and farming, craft and technology, the church and art, concluding with an appraisal of the Viking impact. The archaeological evidence for the period is also particularly rich and wide-ranging and our knowledge is expanding repidly in the light of modern techniques of survey and excavation.
Author(s): Nancy Edwards
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 240
Dedication
Table of Contents
Illustrations
A Note on Radiocarbon Dates
Preface
1. The Roman Impact
2. Settlement: Ring-Forts
Landscape
Social and political organization
The nature of the evidence
The problem of chronology
Ring-forts
Terminology and classification
Origins and chronology
Siting, enclosures and entrances
Houses
Souterrains
Other ring-fort structures
Ring-forts in the landscape
The role of ring-forts
3. Other Settlement Types
Crannogs
Origins and chronology
Siting and distribution
The crannog structure
The role of crannogs
Promontory forts
Knowth and Clogher
Other settlements
Conclusion
4. Food and Farming
The nature of the evidence
Climate, soils and vegetation
The farming landscape
Livestock and other domesticated animals
Crop husbandry
Hunting, fishing and gathering
Conclusion
5. Craft, Exchange and Trade
Pottery
Imported pottery
Native pottery
Wood
Leather
Textiles and dress
Bone, antler and horn
Metal-working
Iron-working
Copper and copper-alloy working
Gold and silver
Enamel and glass
Stone and related materials
Exchange and trade
6. The Church
The historical background
The nature of the evidence
Ogham stones
Large ecclesiastical sites
Location
Layout
Structures
Estates
Small ecclesiastical sites and hermitages
Church Architecture
Round Towers
Burial
Conclusion
7. Art
Problems
Ornamental metalwork
Illuminated manuscripts
Stone sculpture
Conclusion
8. The Vikings
The Viking raids and settlement
Hoards
Towns
Dublin
Waterford
Viking settlement outside the towns
Conclusion
References
Bibliography
Index
