Summary: Evidence of Trade
Key dates:
There is evidence that, particularly in the Iron Age, there was much trade between the inhabitants of the British Isles and also with the Roman Empire. There was a major trading post on the coast north of Dublin where bronze and gold were exchanged for cattle and slaves. Many gold ornaments of the early Iron Age were made with imported gold and many Roman gold ornaments were found at Newgrange. A Roman style boat was found in Co Westmeath and a Roman ladle in Co Meath.
In the 3rd century Solinus wrote of the Irish “the natives sail in boats of wickerwork covered with the hides of oxen, and in these, cross the Irish sea”.
These natives were known to the Romans as “scotti” which was Latin for raiders and this suggests that the Irish were well known for raids on the mainland. The products of their looting such as silver plate and ingots have been found in Co Londonderry and Co Limerick.
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