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Thomas, C. Charles., ed. (1972).
The Iron Age in the Irish Sea province
.
Title
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Title:
The Iron Age in the Irish Sea province
Publication Type
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Publication Type:
Monograph Chapter
Editor
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Editor:
Charles Charles Thomas
Year of Publication
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Year of Publication:
1972
Note
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Note:
Date Of Issue From: 1972
Source
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Source:
BIAB (British Archaeological Abstracts (BAA))
Created Date
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Created Date:
05 Dec 2008
Please click on an Article link to go to the Article Details.
Chapter Title
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Abstract
Hillforts in the coastal area of Wales
Alexander H A Hogg
11 - 23
For six areas of coastal strip from Glamorgan to the Lleyn Peninsula, analysis of hillforts in terms of entirely objective characteristics such as area enclosed, number of ramparts, and distribution, shows such diversity that no support is available for an "Irish Sea Province" for hillforts. The indigenous Bronze Age population appears to have been sparse enough to allow occasional new settlers (implied by certain exotic sites) to establish themselves. Population expansion, however attained, led to increasing numbers of hillforts. Only two types of coastal Welsh fort -those with widely-spaced multiple ramparts, and the coastal promontory type - are satisfactorily paralleled outside Wales (see also 72/1636, 1653).
Welsh Border hillforts
S C Stanford
25 - 36
These large forts, massively defended and crowded with rectangular huts, contrast strongly with the Welsh norm of small forts with scattered round houses noted by Hogg (72/1654). The evidence now available strongly suggests two elements in the Border population; the natives using VCP (very coarse pottery) and the hillfort-building invaders who arrived c 550 BC with a preference for planned streets and rectangular houses. The guardroom idea was brought in c 390 BC by more newcomers with a highly developed military organisation. Further work should provide a chronology for the centuries after 390 BC, especially in relation to other territories (see also 72/1653, 1636).
Irish hillforts
Barry J Raftery
37 - 58
The forty or so Irish hillforts fall into three types; of these, the two most numerous - simple univallate sites and those with widely-spaced, multivallate defences - are almost mutually exclusive in distribution. Excavation has been so limited that conclusions as to origin and dating are extremely conjectural. There are possible connections with Scotland, while Iberian influences may perhaps be detected in the west. Their initial date may be anywhere within the last five centuries BC or perhaps even earlier, though, as yet, the only fixed chronological point is the mid-4th century AD date from Freestone Hill. In some cases at least the hillfort continued well into fully historic times. Au(adp) (See also 72/1636 and others there noted.)
The chariot as described in Irish literature
David Greene
59 - 73
Close analysis of the sagas provides much clearer information about the Irish chariot. It appears to be a largely indigenous development and fairly certainly consisted of a simple two-wheeled chart containing two single seats in tandem in a light wooden frame. It was drawn by two horses harnessed by bridles to a yoke attached to the chariot pole; the wheels were shod with iron tyres. There is some evidence for two rear shafts projecting from the framework, but these could be a later accretion to the traditions. Information on how the pole was attached to the chariot is wholly lacking, and the evidence for traces as an auxiliary part of the harness is too scanty for any positive conclusion. As a general-purpose vehicle for the privileged, the chariot also played an important part in boasting displays before and after combat. Au(adp)
Souterrains in the Irish Sea province: a note
Charles Charles Thomas
75 - 78
A brief outline of the problems draws attention to the diversity of the class and the oddities of its distribution (eg. total absence from Wales). Seemingly they run from EIA onwards and their function is usually that of storage cellar (see also 72/1636).
Celtic stone idols in Ireland
Etienne Rynne
79 - 98
The identification of Irish stone heads and other such iconic sculpture as belonging to the pagan Celtic period has largely to be based on art-historical criteria. Nonetheless, it is believed that such identification is possible, even if it be generally of a tentative nature. Certain features seem to be virtually exclusive to the carvings and furthermore are not generally found associated with later sculpture. It is also possible, in some cases, to recognise certain schools of sculpture. Finally, it seems possible to link many of these sculptured idols with Celtic sculpture in Britain and points eastwards (see also 72/1636). Au(adp)
The Irish Sea zone in the pre-Roman Iron Age
Leslie Alcock
99 - 112
In summing up the 1969 Cardiff conference (see also 72/1636 and other abstracts there indicated), it was noted that papers had tended, being quite properly preoccupied with detail, to deny the existence of a unitary Irish Sea culture-province. However, when compared with its surrounding areas, the province appears both geographically and culturally distinctive; even the lack of pottery and the apparent material impoverishment sets much of Wales and Ireland apart from neighbouring areas. The shortage of datable finds (which may result from a combination of climatic and economic reasons) is partly responsible for difficulties in constructing agreed chronologies; for instance, Irish workers postulate a late (2nd century BC) start to the Iron Age in Ireland. The "missing five centuries" may, however, begin to fill as research intensifies.
