From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland

Overview

The study of Ireland from the 5th to 17th centuries through the physical remains of the past rather than documentary history. Early Christian crafts and settlements; the impact of the Vikings; the lordships of the Anglo-Normans and the problems of the later Middle Ages.

Learning Objectives

1)An understanding of the key areas of archaeological evidence of the period; 2)appreciation of the relationship between archaeological and documentary evidence; 3)appreciation of the role of excavation in the study of the period; 4)an understanding of Ireland's position in medieval Europe.

Skills

1)Identifying evidence cited by authors holding different views on issues within the period; 2)An introduction to assessing the results published in primary sources, especially excavation reports.

Assessment

Lectures, Seminars, Weekend residential field course to County Donegal (Sem 2).