|
PRE-HISTORY 20,000 years ago Ireland was almost totally covered by a thick ice sheet. By 13,000 BC only Ulster was still buried under the dying ice sheet. By 11,000 BC rugged grasses coated the land and trees (hardy Junipers) began to grow. COMINGS AND GOINGS The first people arrived in Ireland about 7000BC. These Mesolithic people (hunter gatherers) probably had Ireland to themselves for nearly a millennium before new sea-faring immigrants arrived. The sea waters of the Irish Sea in 7000BC were much shallower then and, while it may or may not have been possible to walk from England to Ireland, it would have been possible to make the journey in a small raft or canoe. SHELTER AND HOUSING The campsites and shelters of these nomadic hunter gatherers were temporary. Excavations at Mount Sandel, Co Antrim, have provided information about their earliest houses and settlements. Houses were about 6 metres wide with a hearth in the centre. To retain heat, there was only one entrance and no windows. The animal skin covered wooden frame would not have been airtight and there may have been a small opening in the centre roof through which smoke could escape. FARMING The nomadic lifestyles of the Mesolithic people did not allow for the development of farming technology. TRADE AND TRANSPORT It is widely believed that the land bridges between England and Ireland ruptured about 6500BC, so, while the earliest migrants may have walked, from this time on some kind of boat or raft would be needed. CRAFT AND INDUSTRY The earliest examples of stone tools date from this period. The creation of stone tool pieces is called ‘knapping’. CRAFT AND INDUSTRY Flint axes were used in the early Mesolithic period but polished stone axe heads were much more durable. Many examples dating from this period have been found at Newferry near Lough Neagh in Co Antrim. KEY EVENT The end of the Early Mesolithic Period and the beginning of the Later Mesolithic Period. DRESS We can assume that Mesolithic man in Ireland would have worn skins of those animals which they hunted. The skins would have been scraped with flint scrapers and animal fat may have been rubbed into these skins to make them more supple. ART No evidence of Mesolithic art has been found in Ireland. MUSIC There is no evidence of any musical instruments in Ireland for this period. LANGUAGE It was some time before a written language developed in Ireland. Contemporary Spanish rock paintings indicate that these people may have used drawings to express their ideas and feelings. FOOD AND COOKING The open fire played an important part in the life of the earliest inhabitants. We do not know how it was discovered but we can assume that its discovery was accidental. It is most likely that they had only water to drink and most historians agree that their diet varied with the seasons. BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS There are no Irish examples of Mesolithic burials or beliefs. However, there are examples from this period from other parts of Europe and Scandinavia. |