Early evidence for coastal exploitation in Ireland
Our knowledge of coastal resource exploitation for the early Christian period in Ireland is limited. The aim of this study is to address this by collating all the available evidence from both archaeological and literary sources. The archaeological evidence presented here concentrates on fauna and molluscan material examined as part of this study from excavations at Dun Eoghanachta, Illaunloughan, DoonJoughan and Rathgurreen while also reviewing extant published evidence for comparable sites. Wild species (seal, fish, bird and shellfish) and sheep were observed to have played a relatively more important role at these sites than on inland sites, while it is suggested that the notable presence of young calf bones from the island assemblages is a reflection of their environmental marginality. The contemporary literature makes little acknowledgement of shellfish or marine fish exploitation, yet the procurement of both is affirmed by extensive archaeological remains. The theory proffered by antiquarians around the tum of the century that dogwhelks were exploited in early Christian times for the purple dye that the species secretes, is examined here in detail. Some interesting findings on the subject emerged but
Murray, Emily
Archaeology
Early evidence for coastal exploitation in Ireland. Our knowledge of coastal resource exploitation for the early Christian period in Ireland is limited. The aim of this study is to address this by collating all the available evidence from both archaeological and literary sources. The archaeological evidence presented here concentrates on fauna and molluscan material examined as part of this study from excavations at Dun Eoghanachta, Illaunloughan, DoonJoughan and Rathgurreen while also reviewing extant published evidence for comparable sites. Wild species (seal, fish, bird and shellfish) and sheep were observed to have played a relatively more important role at these sites than on inland sites, while it is suggested that the notable presence of young calf bones from the island assemblages is a reflection of their environmental marginality. The contemporary literature makes little acknowledgement of shellfish or marine fish exploitation, yet the procurement of both is affirmed by extensive archaeological remains. The theory proffered by antiquarians around the tum of the century that dogwhelks were exploited in early Christian times for the purple dye that the species secretes, is examined here in detail. Some interesting findings on the subject emerged but
early_evidence coastal exploitation ireland knowledge coastal resource_exploitation early_christian period ireland limit aim_study address collate available_evidence archaeological literary_source archaeological_evidence present concentrate fauna molluscan material examine part study excavation also_review extant publish_evidence comparable site wild specie seal fish bird shellfish sheep observe play relatively important_role site inland site suggest notable presence young calf bone island assemblage reflection environmental marginality contemporary literature make little acknowledgement shellfish marine fish exploitation yet procurement affirm extensive archaeological_remains theory proffer antiquarian exploit early_christian time specie examine_detail interesting finding subject emerge