knocknarea archaeological research project

Project Description

Knocknarea mountain, located on the western end of the Cúil Irra peninsula, Co. Sligo, is a highly conspicuous landscape feature of this coastal area. The mountain was a focal point in an extensive ritual landscape during the Neolithic, indicated by the large number of passage tombs close to, as well as on the mountain. On its flat summit, the large passage tomb cairn of Miosgán Meadhbha creates a visual focus for the whole region. The Knocknarea Archaeological Project primarily focuses on the ritual and social role of this mountain during the Neolithic period but also studies the development and changes in the use and perception of this mountain up to the present day. The project involves large-scale topographical surveys, detailed descriptive survey and analysis of all man-made features on the mountain, in addition to a programme of limited excavation.

The project has shown that the Neolithic remains on the mountain were not limited to the passage tombs, as a considerable number of hut sites as well as an extensive system of walls enclosing the entire eastern side of the mountain, also formed part of the Neolithc activity on this mountain. Along the walls and in the hut sites, extensive remains of the production and use of chert artefacts have been recorded. The lithics are totally dominated by a wide range of concave scrapers, the use of which seems to have been of particular importance to the Neolithic people on this exposed mountain. A recently discovered area for chert extraction has further added to the complexity of the Neolithic remains.

As an IRCHSS Research Fellow 2009/2010, Dr. Bergh is at the moment preparing the project for final publication.

Contact Details

Dr Stefan Bergh ( Profile)
Department of Archaeology,
School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI, Galway

Contact: stefan.berghnuigalway.ie

Funding Bodies

Royal Irish Academy 1999-2000, 2003
The Heritage Council 1999-2000
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (2009/2010)

Project Publications

2009 (in print). Black is the Colour. Chert, concave scrapers and passage tombs. In Cooney, G., O’Connor, B., & Chapman, J. (eds), 2009. Materialitas: working stone, carving identity. Prehistoric Society Research Papers 3. Oxford: The Prehistoric Society and Oxbow Books.

2002. Knocknarea - the ultimate monument. Megaliths and mountains in Neolithic Cúil Irra, north west Ireland. In C. Scarre (ed.) Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe. Routledge

2000. Transforming Knocknarea - The Archaeology of a Mountain, Archaeology Ireland 52: 14-18.

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