Archaeology

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Clapper Bridge, known locally as Ros a’Locha Stepping Stones, County Cork, was the first bridge erected across this river (Abha na Sróine) Featured in Remnants of Our Past by Deirdre O'Neill </p>

outdoors

Clapper bridges and stones with healing powers — stories of our ancestors, hidden in the Irish landscape

Remnants of our past lie all over Ireland, telling the story of the Irish people and their daily lives, how they sustained themselves, their beliefs and traditions, how they died and how they were remembered, writes Deirdre O'Neill

<p>Rath Mór ringfort near Rathmore. Pictures: Richard Mills</p>

outdoors

Fairy forts — so many still here and still relevant today

<p>Patrick Sarsfield standing tall in Limerick.</p>

spotlight

An international search for the remains of Irish war hero Patrick Sarsfield

Machu Picchu illuminated by the warm sunset light. Wide angle view from the terraces above with scenic sky and sun burst. Dreaml

outdoors

A new chapter in Inca archaeology as underground tunnels discovered beneath Cusco’s historic district

outdoors

Ancient genomes reveal an Iron Age society centred on women

outdoors

Textiles of Ireland: Gold lace found in sacked castles

Islands of Ireland: Inishkea North has Iron-Age and medieval ruins

The Inishkea Islands were also linked to international trade through their production of a purple dye derived from purpura shellfish, mosses, certain seaweeds, squids, jellyfish and starfish. The dye was traded as far as Byzantium (modern day Turkey) and was used to colour silks and velvets and was much in demand in royal courts

Fri, 23 Aug, 2024

Cannon balls, human remains, and ancient weapons among finds reported by public to National Museum

137 discoveries, around 10 finds a month, were reported to the museum over a 13-month period.

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024

Islands of Ireland: Skull Island — a better name for this Cork island featuring a ruined mortuary chapel and graveyard?

The graveyard could be pre-Christian in origin and later it may have had Spanish and English sailors buried here — locals said that on occasion erosion caused the skulls to come tumbling out of the side of the graveyard

Fri, 14 Jun, 2024

Islands of Ireland: Even the name suggests you can walk to the Galway island of Inishtreh

At low tide it is possible to walk to the island from a pier. In fact the translation of the island comes from ‘troigh’ or ‘foot’ indicating that such a venture is possible

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Islands of Ireland: No long face thanks to the inspirational beauty of Kerry's Horse Island

There are many Horse Islands in the country — prominent ones include those at Roaringwater Bay and at Ballinskelligs Bay — but this one near Valentia and Portmagee is just gorgeous

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Glaciers and Irish bogs make perfect 'time capsules'

A trip to Italy for Richard Collins and grandchildren included a visit to Ötzi the Iceman and his copper axe, animal-skin coat and primitive medical kit

Thu, 04 Apr, 2024

Dónal Hickey: Campaign to save monuments from accidental damage

There are more than 140,000 archaeological remains here including standing stones, castles, and ring forts — and an online map lets you check any area before starting digging work

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

S The Dreenan Figure and Lustymore Man: The enduring enigma of Boa Island’s stone figures

Are they pagan idols? One, in particular, is often claimed to represent Janus, a Roman god for whom January is named

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Rome opens new archaeological park and museum in shadow of Colosseum

Rome authorities have inaugurated a new archaeological park and museum in the shadow of the Colosseum that features an original marble map of Ancient Rome that visitors can literally walk over.

Thu, 11 Jan, 2024

S Irish monument marking both the rising and setting solstice sun — and it's not Newgrange

Knockroe in Lingaun Valley between Tipperary and Kilkenny has a dual Winter Solstice alignment, with the eastern passageway aligned with the rising sun, and the western passageway aligned to the setting sun

Sun, 17 Dec, 2023

Donal Hickey: Locals and volunteers with a wealth of knowledge at heritage sites

Visit the Kerry stone circle where a farmer spotted artifacts aligned with the rising sun

Thu, 07 Sep, 2023

Four Roman swords discovered in Dead Sea cave in Israel

Four Roman-era swords, their wooden and leather hilts and scabbards and steel blades exquisitely preserved after 1,900 years in a desert cave, surfaced in a recent excavation by Israeli archaeologists near the Dead Sea, officials announced.

Wed, 06 Sep, 2023

What were dogs here like 1,000 years ago? Were they pets or working dogs... or wild?

A team of specialists and scientists is investigating the relationships and roles between dogs, and horses, alongside humans in Viking-Age society here. We ask Dr Ruth Carden about the project

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

Shooting Skellig — 150 years of photography on Michael’s Rock

While director JJ Abrams brought global attention to Skellig when filming Star Wars, the island off the Kerry coast has a long photographic history, writes Ciarán Walsh

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Islands of Ireland: The smallest island yet in this series

Here are a few theories on what the name Eargold Island means — but let us know if if you have any more info on this

Fri, 04 Aug, 2023

Reburial ceremony held as 400-year-old human skulls returned to Inishbofin

The decision to return the remains follows years of campaigning by Inishbofin historian, Marie Coyne

Sun, 16 Jul, 2023

St Declan's Way: Experience scenery, saints and stories in Ardmore

Medieval graveslabs, Ogham stones, and a tomb-church make this well worth a visit — but a cross-inscribed black stone said to have curative properties is still missing

Sun, 09 Jul, 2023

Metal detectors and bare hands — how this early-medieval Irish treasure was discovered

The Derrynaflan Hoard is believed to have been hidden from viking raids in the 10th-12th centuries and was found by a father and son in 1980

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Folklore says that if you do this you'll catch a glimpse of paradise...

In the footsteps of saints and pilgrims at Glencolmcille

Sun, 04 Jun, 2023

Aerial view of the Hill of Tara, an archaeological complex, containing a number of ancient monuments used as the seat of the Hig

Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past by failing to protect our heritage

Ireland's cultural heritage must be protected. The Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill needs to be strengthened in order to do this properly, argue Army Strecker and Sinéad Mercier

Fri, 28 Apr, 2023

Archaeologists in Italy unearth ancient dolphin statuette

Excavations in southern Italy have unearthed terracotta bull heads and a figurine of the Greek god Eros riding a dolphin. The discoveries shine new light on the religious life and rituals of an ancient city, Italian culture ministry officials said.

Sat, 15 Apr, 2023

'Extremely important' discoveries in Kerry at risk from climate change

Material spanning almost 4,000 years was unearthed during excavations at Doon Point in West Kerry in 2021

Wed, 22 Mar, 2023

Giant's grave, portal tomb, limekilns and more at the Cavan Burren

This plateau also contains some 5,000 years of archaeology, which can be explored via a network of about 10km of waymarked trails

Tue, 21 Mar, 2023

Detectorists unearthing treasures which should be left alone

Archaeologists warn treasure hunters who use metal detectors and shovels to unearth valuable objects at national monument sites are breaking the law and 'stealing' from the State

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

Kilcrea Friary: Rogue treasure hunters with metal detectors disturb human remains

Metal detectors and shovels used during latest in spate of illegal excavations at protected sites in Co Cork

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

Archaeologists in Egypt unearth Sphinx-like Roman-era statue

The artefacts were found in the temple of Dendera in Qena Province, 280 miles south of the capital of Cairo, Egypt’s antiquities ministry revealed

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Explore medieval ruins at Cork's Bridgetown Priory

An interesting tomb, a 13th-century church and a calefactory at this rambling ruin on the western bank of the Blackwater — this site is open to the public and free to explore

Tue, 24 Jan, 2023

S Clodagh Finn: The Irish mummy who went to Egypt in 1846 – with three children in tow

All the talk of reminded me of the remarkable travels of an Irish mummy who set out for Egypt in 1846 with three of her children in tow, including her youngest son Arthur who was born without limbs.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

US dig finds Revolutionary War prison camp where British soldiers were kept

Archaeologists say they have solved a decades-old riddle by finding the remnants of a prison camp that housed British soldiers in York, Pennsylvania, for nearly two years during the American Revolutionary War.

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Research finds mysterious structure in Cork Harbour is prehistoric tomb

Archaeologists had thought the Carraig á Mhaistin stone was a 19th-century folly, but now believe it is a megalithic dolmen

Tue, 18 Oct, 2022

Bringing up the bodies: Ground beneath Cork's Nancy's Spain's finally reveals its secrets

One site, two remarkable finds from two separate and distinct periods of the Cork's past. And this may only be the start of the story.

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Chicago's Field Museum Cleans Its Preserved T. Rex "Sue"

Tyrannosaurus Rex may have been three species, scientists say

The team, which includes a dinosaur specialist who advised on the film Jurassic Park have named the new species Tyrannosaurus imperator and Tyrannosaurus regina

Tue, 01 Mar, 2022

‘It was terrifying’: Ancient book’s journey from Tipperary bog to museum treasure

A new book tells the story of the painstaking process to preserve the 1,200-year-old Faddan More Psalter

Fri, 26 Nov, 2021

Thousands of years of heritage, but the clock is ticking for these priceless Dingle Peninsula sites

Archaeologists in Kerry are in a race against time and tide, writes Clodagh Finn, as our priceless historical heritage is slowly eroded away by the sea.

Sat, 12 Jun, 2021

Historians shed new light on first arrival of Vikings to Cork City

A free one-day webinar on June 19 will hear how the Vikings came to the city in two waves.

Wed, 02 Jun, 2021

Clodagh Finn: Time to bring the brilliant sisters of famous men into the limelight

Sad irony in knowing that Ernest Shackleton’s exploration of the southernmost tip of the world is widely remembered while his sisters' adventuring days, at the opposite pole, and in warn-torn Europe and Canada, passed almost completely under the radar

Wed, 19 May, 2021

Archaeologists unearth ancient pharaonic city in Egypt

Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old lost city, complete with mud brick houses, artefacts and tools from pharaonic times.

Fri, 09 Apr, 2021

UCC archaeology team recreates 2,400-year-old Iron Age logboat

The team has reconstructed a replica of an ancient 7.5m long, 0.61m wide logboat, which was discovered at the bottom of Lough Corrib, Co Galway, some years ago.

Sun, 13 Dec, 2020

Archaeologists uncover 5,700-year-old Neolithic house in north Cork

They also discovered finds which may have been associated with human burials or offering gifts to the 'Gods of the Underworld'

Wed, 26 Aug, 2020

Hundreds gather at Dublin conference exploring Irish heritage and monuments

Archaeologists and historians from across the world have gathered in Dublin today for a conference which explores Irish monuments and how they came to be.

Sat, 05 Oct, 2019

‘We struck gold’: ‘Amazing’ 13th-century monastery unearthed in Meath

“Hugely significant” finds of a rare French structure and medieval pottery have been found during recent archaeological excavations in Co Meath, supporting a long-held belief that the site was once home to Cistercian monks from Normandy.

Thu, 01 Aug, 2019

Investigation underway following serious damage to 3000-year-old hillfort

The National Monuments Service is investigating a report of serious damage to a unique 3,000 year-old “vitrified” hillfort close to Cavan.

Mon, 10 Jun, 2019

Bronze Age axe recovered by Gardaí after tip-off

A miniature Bronze Age axe has been recovered in Co Limerick by Gardaí and the National Museum of Ireland.

Mon, 08 Apr, 2019

New monuments revealed after summer heatwave

A huge number of previously unknown monuments, mostly located in crop fields, discovered during last summer’s heatwave are visible on the latest Google Maps/Google Earth.

Mon, 18 Feb, 2019

Archaeology

Clapper bridges and stones with healing powers — stories of our ancestors, hidden in the Irish landscape

Fairy forts — so many still here and still relevant today

An international search for the remains of Irish war hero Patrick Sarsfield

A new chapter in Inca archaeology as underground tunnels discovered beneath Cusco’s historic district

Ancient genomes reveal an Iron Age society centred on women

Textiles of Ireland: Gold lace found in sacked castles

Islands of Ireland: Inishkea North has Iron-Age and medieval ruins

Cannon balls, human remains, and ancient weapons among finds reported by public to National Museum

Islands of Ireland: Skull Island — a better name for this Cork island featuring a ruined mortuary chapel and graveyard?

Islands of Ireland: Even the name suggests you can walk to the Galway island of Inishtreh

Islands of Ireland: No long face thanks to the inspirational beauty of Kerry's Horse Island

Glaciers and Irish bogs make perfect 'time capsules'

Dónal Hickey: Campaign to save monuments from accidental damage

S The Dreenan Figure and Lustymore Man: The enduring enigma of Boa Island’s stone figures

Rome opens new archaeological park and museum in shadow of Colosseum

S Irish monument marking both the rising and setting solstice sun — and it's not Newgrange

Donal Hickey: Locals and volunteers with a wealth of knowledge at heritage sites

Four Roman swords discovered in Dead Sea cave in Israel

What were dogs here like 1,000 years ago? Were they pets or working dogs... or wild?

Shooting Skellig — 150 years of photography on Michael’s Rock

Islands of Ireland: The smallest island yet in this series

Reburial ceremony held as 400-year-old human skulls returned to Inishbofin

St Declan's Way: Experience scenery, saints and stories in Ardmore

Metal detectors and bare hands — how this early-medieval Irish treasure was discovered

Folklore says that if you do this you'll catch a glimpse of paradise...

Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past by failing to protect our heritage

Archaeologists in Italy unearth ancient dolphin statuette

'Extremely important' discoveries in Kerry at risk from climate change

Giant's grave, portal tomb, limekilns and more at the Cavan Burren

Detectorists unearthing treasures which should be left alone

Kilcrea Friary: Rogue treasure hunters with metal detectors disturb human remains

Archaeologists in Egypt unearth Sphinx-like Roman-era statue

Explore medieval ruins at Cork's Bridgetown Priory

S Clodagh Finn: The Irish mummy who went to Egypt in 1846 – with three children in tow

US dig finds Revolutionary War prison camp where British soldiers were kept

Research finds mysterious structure in Cork Harbour is prehistoric tomb

Bringing up the bodies: Ground beneath Cork's Nancy's Spain's finally reveals its secrets

Tyrannosaurus Rex may have been three species, scientists say

‘It was terrifying’: Ancient book’s journey from Tipperary bog to museum treasure

Thousands of years of heritage, but the clock is ticking for these priceless Dingle Peninsula sites

Historians shed new light on first arrival of Vikings to Cork City

Clodagh Finn: Time to bring the brilliant sisters of famous men into the limelight

Archaeologists unearth ancient pharaonic city in Egypt

UCC archaeology team recreates 2,400-year-old Iron Age logboat

Archaeologists uncover 5,700-year-old Neolithic house in north Cork

Hundreds gather at Dublin conference exploring Irish heritage and monuments

‘We struck gold’: ‘Amazing’ 13th-century monastery unearthed in Meath

Investigation underway following serious damage to 3000-year-old hillfort

Bronze Age axe recovered by Gardaí after tip-off

New monuments revealed after summer heatwave

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