Mesolithic Era
The history of modern Ireland could rightfully be traced back to the Ice-Age. Around 11,000 BC, the last sheet of ice receded from present day Ireland and Britain, then still a peninsula of the European continent. Gradually, flora and fauna brightened its way across the harsh and forbidding land to begin the greening.
Eventually, Stone-age Mesolithic hunter/gatherers, from the continent, followed the now verdant trail onto the remote peninsula. Initial immigrants probably came in small isolated bands. Over time, their numbers grew. Relatively peaceful conditions and increasing luxuriant landscape gave them security and comfortable (for the age) living. Mesolithic humans put down their roots and began to construct semi-permanent dwellings. Gathering together in small hamlets as social consciousness grew, by the early 9th Millenium BC, permanent settlements came into being, scattered across the land.
The oldest known settlement is in present day Co. Offaly (central Ireland). Dated at circa 8820 BC, the find in artifacts has been most interesting. Stone tools including axes indicate a growing technology, which produced the earliest leaf shape blade. A similar site in Co. Derry (north coast) provided similar stone implements along with round-houses and, for the first time, clues that wild pig were a popular item on the menu. Some of the early settlements were permanent indeed as we find a site in Co. Antrim (north east coast), established circa 7735 BC, that shows occupancy for 3000 years! Such long term occupancy would indicate not only a wealth of food and other supplies, but also a relatively peaceful environment.
A find of fresh water mollusk shells in Co. Dublin, dating to 7190 BC, indicates a land-bridge still in existence with England and perhaps the European continent. No longer known in Ireland, the presence of these creatures then indicate their migration from the east by "pond hopping." But this was likely near the end of dry-land passage from the continent and Archeologists believe the land-bridge disappeared within the next hand-full of centuries. Certainly no archeological evidence of further migrations or change in social activities a new people would bring is evident for over two millennia.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
Eventually, Stone-age Mesolithic hunter/gatherers, from the continent, followed the now verdant trail onto the remote peninsula. Initial immigrants probably came in small isolated bands. Over time, their numbers grew. Relatively peaceful conditions and increasing luxuriant landscape gave them security and comfortable (for the age) living. Mesolithic humans put down their roots and began to construct semi-permanent dwellings. Gathering together in small hamlets as social consciousness grew, by the early 9th Millenium BC, permanent settlements came into being, scattered across the land.
The oldest known settlement is in present day Co. Offaly (central Ireland). Dated at circa 8820 BC, the find in artifacts has been most interesting. Stone tools including axes indicate a growing technology, which produced the earliest leaf shape blade. A similar site in Co. Derry (north coast) provided similar stone implements along with round-houses and, for the first time, clues that wild pig were a popular item on the menu. Some of the early settlements were permanent indeed as we find a site in Co. Antrim (north east coast), established circa 7735 BC, that shows occupancy for 3000 years! Such long term occupancy would indicate not only a wealth of food and other supplies, but also a relatively peaceful environment.
A find of fresh water mollusk shells in Co. Dublin, dating to 7190 BC, indicates a land-bridge still in existence with England and perhaps the European continent. No longer known in Ireland, the presence of these creatures then indicate their migration from the east by "pond hopping." But this was likely near the end of dry-land passage from the continent and Archeologists believe the land-bridge disappeared within the next hand-full of centuries. Certainly no archeological evidence of further migrations or change in social activities a new people would bring is evident for over two millennia.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
