An assessment for the case of shared traditions in the North Channel region : site morphology and settlement distribution during the 1st Millennium BC to 1st Millennium AD
The seaways appear to have been a prevalent means of travel in the past as observed in the evidence of contact and trade between regions. The Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland was part of a maritime network traditionally termed the Atlantic Seaways that linked these islands and the Continent. Communication across the North Channel between Western Scotland and northern part of Ireland may have been demonstrably easier during the later prehistoric period than movement looking eastwards across the Central Highlands of Scotland. Thus, these areas possibly developed into a âNorth Channelâ region as opposed to the sea creating a cultural divide. This idea is explored through a series of comparisons between sites either side of the North Channel. Three specific areas are targeted for the overall research, Argyll, the coastline of Northern Ireland and Co. Donegal. Both the individual architectural features and site distributions in relation to their locations within the landscape are investigated through an integrated approach. Firstly, a fine scale examination of the morphology of settlement sites using a common classification scheme explores the degree of structural comparability between these areas. The
Werner, Shelly D.
GIS ; Archaeology ; Settlement analysis
An assessment for the case of shared traditions in the North Channel region : site morphology and settlement distribution during the 1st Millennium BC to 1st Millennium AD. The seaways appear to have been a prevalent means of travel in the past as observed in the evidence of contact and trade between regions. The Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland was part of a maritime network traditionally termed the Atlantic Seaways that linked these islands and the Continent. Communication across the North Channel between Western Scotland and northern part of Ireland may have been demonstrably easier during the later prehistoric period than movement looking eastwards across the Central Highlands of Scotland. Thus, these areas possibly developed into a âNorth Channelâ region as opposed to the sea creating a cultural divide. This idea is explored through a series of comparisons between sites either side of the North Channel. Three specific areas are targeted for the overall research, Argyll, the coastline of Northern Ireland and Co. Donegal. Both the individual architectural features and site distributions in relation to their locations within the landscape are investigated through an integrated approach. Firstly, a fine scale examination of the morphology of settlement sites using a common classification scheme explores the degree of structural comparability between these areas. The
assessment case share tradition north channel region site morphology settlement_distribution appear prevalent mean travel past observed evidence contact trade region irish_sea britain_ireland part maritime network traditionally term atlantic link island continent communication across north channel western_scotland northern part ireland may demonstrably later_prehistoric period movement look across central highlands scotland thus area possibly develop north channel region oppose sea create cultural divide idea explore series comparison sit either_side north channel specific area target overall argyll coastline northern_ireland individual architectural_feature site distribution relation location within_landscape investigate integrated approach firstly fine scale examination morphology settlement_sit use common classification scheme explore degree structural comparability area