The archaeology of the Beara peninsula, Co. Cork, in the first millennium AD

Project Description

This project forms part of a larger landscape study directed by Prof. William O’Brien (The Beara Project / Marginal Landscapes). The primary focus of the study was the settlement landscape of the Beara peninsula through time, from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period.

The Beara peninsula in west Cork is an area of relatively well-preserved upland landscapes and intensely exploited lowlands and coastal stretches. Its earliest visible archaeology dates from at least the Bronze Age, however it is the archaeology of the first millennium AD that concerned this study, spanning a period from roughly the fourth to the eleventh century AD. Relevant settlement indicators included ogham stones and promontory forts, earthen ringforts, stone cashels, unenclosed souterrains, enclosures and ecclesiastical remains. As any landscape is closely linked to that which came before, from which it develops, an examination of possible Iron Age activity was also undertaken.

Investigation concentrated on the remains from a study area within the peninsula; the western half of the peninsula, that which falls within Co. Cork. The definition of the study area was based both on the position of the county border and the locations of the Ordnance Survey 6" maps. It is not, therefore, a geographical boundary nor an early political one (i.e. it does not reflect any known early territories). Detailed field survey was carried out at all relevant sites, those listed by the RMP (Recorded Monuments and Places) and a small number identified more recently. An intensive digital instrument survey was undertaken at a select number of sites.

There are roughly sixty relevant Early Medieval settlement sites in the study area, excluding promontory forts. At an area of just under 30,000 hectares, this results in an average of 0.15 sites per square kilometre. The national average is 0.55 sites per km ², though there is great regional variation. Beara falls into the low density category, probably due to its topography.

It is evident from this study that the strongest factor in settlement location in the study area during the Early Medieval period was agricultural suitability – as reflected by factors such as preferred soil quality, altitude and land slope. Marine resources may also have played an important role, however this is not obviously reflected in the settlement landscape, with no settlement concentrations focused on natural harbours or near good fishing grounds.

A number of questions have been raised by statistical analyses. Why, for example, were larger sites (presumably the wealthier, higher status landowners) situated further from the ecclesiastical centres than the smaller settlement enclosures? Were the latter operated by / subordinate to the church rather then the secular nobility? Or did the local upper classes grant land to the church, but only that located on the margins of their property?

Contact Details

Dr Michelle Comber ( profile)
Department of Archaeology,
School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI, Galway

Contact: michelle.combernuigalway.ie

Funding Bodies

The Beara Project – HEA Cycle 2, Phase 2 Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions

Links

Excavation summaries for 2002 and 2003 are available online

Project Publications

• 2009 ’Beara in the first millennium AD.’ In O’Brien Local Worlds, 58–68. Cork, Collins Press.
• 2009 ’Early Settlement Zone 3 – Caheravart slopes.’ In O’Brien Local Worlds, 157–67. Cork, Collins Press.
• 2009 (with W.O’Brien) ’Site D: Barrees house.’ In O’Brien Local Worlds, 203–21. Cork, Collins Press.
• 2009 ’Site F: hut-site.’ In O’Brien Local Worlds, 266–71. Cork, Collins Press.
• 2009 ’Site G: charcoal kiln.’ In O’Brien Local Worlds, 271–75. Cork, Collins Press.

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