This module explores the prehistoric archaeology of the island of Ireland from the earliest hunter-gatherers who arrived at the end of the Ice Age about 12,500 years ago, up to the advent of Christianity in AD 400. Evidence for the earliest human presence in Ireland during the Upper Palaeolithic will be explored, followed by an examination of the hunter-gatherer communities that inhabited Ireland during the Mesolithic period (8000-4000 BC). The arrival of the first farmers heralded the Neolithic period (4000 – 2400 BC), best known for the magnificent megalithic tombs constructed. The arrival of metallurgy in the Bronze Age (2400 – 800 BC) led to the development of hierarchies and increased contact with Europe. The final prehistoric period, the Iron Age (800 BC – AD 400), saw the emerge of royal centres and contact with so-called Celtic communities in mainland Europe.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key periods, dates,chronology and artefacts relevant to prehistoric Ireland.

2. Describe the settlement patterns and economy for each of the prehistoric periods from the Mesolithicto the Iron Age.

3. Outline the nature of the funerary and ritual practices of each prehistoric period.

This module examines the medieval period in Ireland. This period is divided into two significant parts comprising the early medieval period (AD400-1100) and the later medieval period (AD1100-1550), the latter also known as High and Late medieval Ireland. The medieval period spans 1,150 years and it is a time when vast changes occur that transform the political, social and cultural landscape of Ireland. Population increase, changes in agricultural and farming practices, an increase in settlement forms, the impact of Christianity followed by the advent of the Vikings dominate the early medieval period. This is followed by the development of towns and villages, religious reform, the impact of a new culture on native Gaelic society in the Anglo-Normans and the construction of a variety of settlement and monument forms. These are some of the myriad aspects that were to alter and leave an indelible impact on the fabric of Ireland forever.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key time periods and historical events in Medieval Ireland.

2. Describe the settlement record and categorise all relevant monuments and site types from the period.

3. Outline the development of the Church and understand death, burial forms and practices.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of artefact types for the period.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of economy, agricultural practices, craft production, commodities of import and export in medieval Ireland.

This module involves touring the northwest of Ireland for ten days in order to examine a full range of Irish archaeological field monuments and a number of visitor centres. This course is ideally suited for any students, either with or without an archaeology background, who wish to initiate or expand their knowledge about Irish culture, landscape and archaeology. Students of this module will learn first-hand about Irish archaeological field monuments and their contexts in the wider landscape, and build their knowledge of Irish culture through this study tour. It is ideally suitable for participants who completed modules in ARCH07035 Prehistoric Ireland, from Ice Age to Iron Age: 12,500BC – AD400 and ARCH07036 The Archaeology and Architecture of Medieval Ireland 400-1550AD.

1. Outline the significantaspects of the archaeology of Co Sligo

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the principal sites visited and their landscape setting

3. Apply gained knowledge towards understanding the role of monuments types in the northwest of Ireland