Parthelonians
It is relatively easy to blend myth and scientific data. The Parthalons were the Neolithic people (or peoples) who arrived in scattered groups in the 44th and 43rd centuries BC, spreading across the northern and western sections of Ireland, building the magnificent religious and burial sites that continue to fascinate the observers after more than 6 millennia.
Whether they were one people, or two, or three they had much in common. As impressive though as their edifices were, the Parthalons brought something far more beneficial to the Island.
They introduced rudimentary farming and limited animal domestication.
The archeologist will say that after colonization by humans, the most important and durable step in Irelands cultural development is the introduction of agriculture and a sedentary life. Fertile land was available for cultivation and the necessity of settling close to planted fields gave impetus to the development of settlements and villages. As the population expanded and became more reliant on farming, additional areas required clearing for suitable growing areas.
Palynologists have determined that as early as 3895 BC significantly detectable reductions in forests due to human action was taking place in some areas of Ireland, notably the southwest. Not only was land being used for the growing of crops, fields were also devoted to grazing by domestic animals. The consensus seems to be that early domestication likely included pig, but by the 36th century BC, the human diet included goat, sheep, and small cattle.
The archeological evidence indicates that the Neolithic Parthalons and the already in place Mesolithic hunter/gatherers lived in relative harmony. Sometimes the cultures blended. Sometimes they lived side-by-side retaining some of their cultural differences, but the original Mesolithics quickly adapted to new ways and joined the agriculture world.
The Neolithic record of Ireland has yielded no weapons designed for warfare. Further they did not build fortifications. However, with improved farming, a successful metallurgical industry and accompanying wealth of material things, times became turbulent. This amalgamous people flourished for a few centuries when nature stepped in. About 4000 BC, a major change in climate occurred which indicates a considerable impact on the environment and a reduction in available food supplies.
Grass pollens all but disappeared, indicating a lack of food for the grazing animals. Major construction of megaliths waned with single-burial graves beginning. However, instead of the single burial graves occupying the west and northern portions of Ireland as previous structures, they appear primarily in the eastern/southern half of the island. This seems to indicate a population shift as a considerable migration of "survivors" eastward apparently took place.
From the view of Tuan, it is possible that this period marked the "plague" that eradicated the Parthalonians. The Early Irish word for plague is "Plaígh," meaning pestilence or famine. Certainly the scientific evidence supports the latter and we see cultural degradation in lifestyle and abandonment of the early larger settlements. Just exactly when the change took place has not yet been determined.
Likely it was a gradual shift rather than a sudden one, but the results were the same. The Parthalonian culture all but disappeared for several centuries prior to the next wave of immigrants.
Whether they were one people, or two, or three they had much in common. As impressive though as their edifices were, the Parthalons brought something far more beneficial to the Island.
They introduced rudimentary farming and limited animal domestication.
The archeologist will say that after colonization by humans, the most important and durable step in Irelands cultural development is the introduction of agriculture and a sedentary life. Fertile land was available for cultivation and the necessity of settling close to planted fields gave impetus to the development of settlements and villages. As the population expanded and became more reliant on farming, additional areas required clearing for suitable growing areas.
Palynologists have determined that as early as 3895 BC significantly detectable reductions in forests due to human action was taking place in some areas of Ireland, notably the southwest. Not only was land being used for the growing of crops, fields were also devoted to grazing by domestic animals. The consensus seems to be that early domestication likely included pig, but by the 36th century BC, the human diet included goat, sheep, and small cattle.
The archeological evidence indicates that the Neolithic Parthalons and the already in place Mesolithic hunter/gatherers lived in relative harmony. Sometimes the cultures blended. Sometimes they lived side-by-side retaining some of their cultural differences, but the original Mesolithics quickly adapted to new ways and joined the agriculture world.
The Neolithic record of Ireland has yielded no weapons designed for warfare. Further they did not build fortifications. However, with improved farming, a successful metallurgical industry and accompanying wealth of material things, times became turbulent. This amalgamous people flourished for a few centuries when nature stepped in. About 4000 BC, a major change in climate occurred which indicates a considerable impact on the environment and a reduction in available food supplies.
Grass pollens all but disappeared, indicating a lack of food for the grazing animals. Major construction of megaliths waned with single-burial graves beginning. However, instead of the single burial graves occupying the west and northern portions of Ireland as previous structures, they appear primarily in the eastern/southern half of the island. This seems to indicate a population shift as a considerable migration of "survivors" eastward apparently took place.
From the view of Tuan, it is possible that this period marked the "plague" that eradicated the Parthalonians. The Early Irish word for plague is "Plaígh," meaning pestilence or famine. Certainly the scientific evidence supports the latter and we see cultural degradation in lifestyle and abandonment of the early larger settlements. Just exactly when the change took place has not yet been determined.
Likely it was a gradual shift rather than a sudden one, but the results were the same. The Parthalonian culture all but disappeared for several centuries prior to the next wave of immigrants.
Nemedians
The Nemedians took Ireland. As previously mentioned
Nemedh ("Neimheadh" in Early Irish) means "sacred or privileged person." Privileged and likely considered sacred was this new sophisticated people who sailed up the Irish Sea, landing near the Liffey and Boyne estuaries shortly after 3000 BC. Subsequently they spread north and west to Ulster and Sligo Bay as well as south into the central lowlands.
Coincidentally with their arrival, further new changes in the environment again began to occur. Most significant is the evidence of farming and domestic animals, including cattle and, for the first time, horses.
These newly arrived early Neolithic farmers initiated revolutionary changes in the landscape. The horse and new kinds of cattle were introduced as was walled pastures needed to retain and partially protect their live-stock. New permanent settlements were cleared from the mixed oak and alder woodlands. With them came the ard, a rudimentary wooden plough, revolutionizing soil tillage. Further, evidence indicates that they began the practice of soil enrichment and fertilization with animal offal and seaweed.
They also understood the need to rotate soil usage and evidence exists that crop-land would be converted to pasture for a time, then reverted back to crop planting. Where some cereals and grains had been raised by their predecessors, the Nemedians greatly increased their growth and consumption.
The greatest long-term impact on Ireland was not, however, advances in agriculture and animal domestication. The Nemedians also brought with them an ongoing contact with the outside world. Trade with present day Germany and Denmark was instituted, and perhaps more importantly, they had some knowledge of metallurgy, for by the mid 29th century BC, copper mines were being established in Co. Kerry and Co. Cork. Not only copper, but also native gold which Ireland had in abundance, was worked and Ireland began international trade with the nearby Danes and what is now Germany.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
Nemedh ("Neimheadh" in Early Irish) means "sacred or privileged person." Privileged and likely considered sacred was this new sophisticated people who sailed up the Irish Sea, landing near the Liffey and Boyne estuaries shortly after 3000 BC. Subsequently they spread north and west to Ulster and Sligo Bay as well as south into the central lowlands.
Coincidentally with their arrival, further new changes in the environment again began to occur. Most significant is the evidence of farming and domestic animals, including cattle and, for the first time, horses.
These newly arrived early Neolithic farmers initiated revolutionary changes in the landscape. The horse and new kinds of cattle were introduced as was walled pastures needed to retain and partially protect their live-stock. New permanent settlements were cleared from the mixed oak and alder woodlands. With them came the ard, a rudimentary wooden plough, revolutionizing soil tillage. Further, evidence indicates that they began the practice of soil enrichment and fertilization with animal offal and seaweed.
They also understood the need to rotate soil usage and evidence exists that crop-land would be converted to pasture for a time, then reverted back to crop planting. Where some cereals and grains had been raised by their predecessors, the Nemedians greatly increased their growth and consumption.
The greatest long-term impact on Ireland was not, however, advances in agriculture and animal domestication. The Nemedians also brought with them an ongoing contact with the outside world. Trade with present day Germany and Denmark was instituted, and perhaps more importantly, they had some knowledge of metallurgy, for by the mid 29th century BC, copper mines were being established in Co. Kerry and Co. Cork. Not only copper, but also native gold which Ireland had in abundance, was worked and Ireland began international trade with the nearby Danes and what is now Germany.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
