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
Commentary: very poor quality
Pages: XIV+226
Illustrations ix
A Note on Radiocarbon Dates xii
Preface xiii
1. The Roman Impact 1
2. Settlement: Ring-Forts 6
Landscape 6
Social and political organization 8
The nature of the evidence 8
The problem of chronology 9
Ring-forts 11
Terminology and classification 12
Origins and chronology 15
Siting, enclosures and entrances 19
Houses 22
Souterrains 29
Other ring-fort structures 32
Ring-forts in the landscape 32
The role of ring-forts 33
3. Other Settlement Types 34
Crannogs 34
Origins and chronology 35
Siting and distribution 37
The crannog structure 38
The role of crannogs 41
Promontory forts 41
Knowth and Clogher 43
Other settlements 44
Conclusion 47
4. Food and Farming 49
The nature of the evidence 49
Climate, soils and vegetation 50
The farming landscape 52
Livestock and other domesticated animals 56
Crop husbandry 60
Hunting, fishing and gathering 64
Conclusion 67
5. Craft, Exchange and Trade 68
Pottery 68
Imported pottery 68
Native pottery 73
Wood 75
Leather 79
Textiles and dress 80
Bone, antler and horn 83
Metal-working 86
Iron-working 86
Copper and copper-alloy working 90
Gold and silver 92
Enamel and glass 92
Stone and related materials 95
Exchange and trade 96
6. The Church 99
The historical background 99
The nature of the evidence 101
Ogham stones 103
Large ecclesiastical sites 104
Location 104
Layout 105
Structures 112
Estates 114
Small ecclesiastical sites and hermitages 114
Church architecture 121
Round towers 127
Burial 129
Conclusion 131
7. Art 132
Problems 132
Ornamental metalwork 133
Illuminated manuscripts 148
Stone sculpture 161
Conclusion 171
8. The Vikings 172
The Viking raids and settlement 172
Hoards 174
Towns 179
Dublin 179
Waterford 188
Viking settlement outside the towns 189
Conclusion 191
References 193
Bibliography 203
Index 219
