Archeologists always uncover historic artifacts, exotic places, and fabulous objects. Most of this objects and places are so compelling that they mask the prominent fact that past is important, and is only through the past that we can determine the direction of our future.
From time to time, many critical moments in history are buried beneath our landscape and it is the work of archeologists, that the true value of these sites become a rich and important record of history. Through archeology, it is possible to understand how humans have changed over time and the reason behind these changes. Most importantly, archeologists through their study patterns have unearthed the evolution of crucial events, the emergence of cities, clues of events that occurred, and the collapse of major cities. Through these studies, we are able to perceive ways to better predict and comprehend how cultures, including our own, will change over the course of time, and how to better plan ourselves for these changes. This essay, therefore, seeks to discuss the archaeology and history of Silvermore (Achill Island) in Ireland.
Why Archeologists Are Interested in These Sites
Over the years, archaeologists have searched the entire spectrum of the majestic cliffs of Achill Island for Irish history. Achill Island around the Corraun Peninsula has been widely attributed for its rich archeological heritage. The range of sites in the Corraun Peninsula comprise of a rich history that defines Ireland and the communities that lived there from the prehistoric period up to present (Archeological Institute of America 1). The landscape is dotted with archaeological monuments that span the entire spectrum of the long history of the Irish people. Archeologists have spurred interests in this site due to various reasons. Achill has drawn much interest from archaeologists of different specialties making them have an interest in the totality of archeology present in Achill. For one, archeologists such as Wood Martin who toured the island in 1880, recorded examples of different classes of monuments and Neolithic tombs that have defined the landscape of Ireland.
Secondly, there are stone-built houses present in Achill from the Bronze Age
which when excavated by Achill Archeological Field School, were found to be among the best examples of the most preserved domestic structures found in Ireland. Thirdly, Iron Age sites all over Ireland have promontory fonts that are spread out over a vast area. However, in Achill, the numerous promontory forts that date to the period of Iron Age enclose the largest area over a smaller span than any other site in Ireland. Another reason why archeologists have found an interest in this area is due to the small ecclesiastical sites present on the island. Despite the fact that these sites have been obscured by graveyards and church buildings, a kiln complex was excavated in the nearby Silvermore Mountains, giving the indication that there was the presence of industrial activity over a large area of unexpected size.
Archeologists in Achill Archeological Field School predicted that the excavated kiln might reveal the complexity of the history of Western Ireland. Lastly, the surviving stones found around Achill were defined by a list of archeologists such as William Borlase and Thomas Westropp who visited the area in 1910. The archeologists working in the area defined it as utterly beguiling to the archeological evidence of rural Ireland. The original research design of the project aimed at developing an understanding of the history and archaeology of Silvermore. Moreover, the project aimed at increasing the number of known sites around the largest mountain on Achill Island.
Methods that Archeologists Use to Recover Data
Prior to excavations, every archeology project starts with a research design, which includes the methods and techniques that will be utilized in the analysis of artifacts and other archaeological materials. Initially, archival research is essential as the first step in finding sites. In the case of Achill islands, the team uncovered written records that were associated with the study area during the early times. The team looked for primary historical documents that were related with the region of the Corraun Peninsula. Before the study, the archeologists consulted maps and photographs of the island and investigated primary sources that were done from 1991 to 2006 at the deserted village at Silvermore. The archeological research done during this period is crucial in understanding the Pre-medieval and post- medieval period within the cotext of archeology, and therefore served as an archeological interest before excavation.
Through an analysis of the materials uncovered at Silvermore there was a revelation of "two massive stone-built structures that occupied the Middle Bronze Age during 1300 BC" (Archeological Institute of America 1). The field walls that were found by the first antiquarian to visit the historic sites on Achill was particularly important to the field team. The site reports that were prepared by William Borlase and reanalyzed by other archeologists such as Thomas Westropp, who studied the area, expalined the archeological investigations that described the area. Lastly, oral history was another research conducted by the team to gather information about the site. The information passed down by word of mouth from prior archeologists was crucial in the analysis of civil parish in the island.
Tools Archaeologists Use to Survey
The tools used by the archeologist team at Silvermore were trowels, tape measures, toothbrushes, and dustpans. Moreover, during digging shovels were used during the digging of the surface layers. Later onwards, a trowel was used by the team to cautiously separate the archaeological sediments from the thin layers of soil, at three small test pits that contained artifacts from the Bronze Age. The roundhouse that was identified at the deserted village in Silvermore were carefully dusted to reveal the different carbon forms for carbon dating. In the lab, the Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the remnants of the buildings that turned out to be "the best preserved Bronze Age in the Silvermore Mountains" (Rathbone and McDonald 212).
How Archeologists Interpret Their Data and Form Conclusions
After conducting the site surveys, the archeological team at the mountains of Silvermore gathered enough information to determine the significance of the archeological evidence of the Iron Age and Bronze Age in Achill islands. Moreover, after conducting shovel test pits, geophysical and surface surveys, the analysis for the presence of ceramics, glass objects and metal items around the found buildings lead to a focus of a dedicated archeological research to interpret the data. The number of carbon blackened stones collected from the sites at Achill were studied for the presence of the different forms of carbon. The relatively recent stones collected from the buildings were assembled and compared with other stones collected by prior archeologists from the region.
Since the research aimed at discovering the inhabitants of Western Ireland, the team analyzed the post-medieval archeological evidence at Silvermore, and several other subsequent projects, there the team comprehended the makeup of the area during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The different small pits that were separated into quadrants for an easier an analysis of the excavated regions, to compare the excavated segments and the slopes of the overlooking mountains and the surrounding deserted village. The investigation of the different tests over the excavated period resulted in some of the best conservative Bronze Age structures due to prior large-scale investigations and compared with the new excavations.
Research Questions
The archeologists were able to answer their research question. During the final stages of the excavation by the Achill team, it led to conclusions the artifacts found at the excavation sites proved remarkable due to the evidence of the Bronze Age period and the Iron Age. The large complex pre-blog systems and artifacts obtained at the sites were subsequently affirmed by an analysis of radiocarbon dates. The excavations suggest the possibility that there might be evidence of materials that showed the history of early Ireland. Additionally, a kiln complex that was excavated in the nearby Silvermore Mountains gave the indication that there was the presence of industrial activity over a large area of unexpected size. Archeologists in Achill Archeological Field School predicted that the excavated kiln was a crucial evidence in understanding early Ireland.
How These Sites Change Views
In conclusion, the sites at Achill have changed the perceptions of archeology and the comprehension of the past. The non-renewable sources recovered by archeologists that cannot be replaced such as artifacts, exhibits, and excavations describe a lot about the ancient civilization of the pasts. Moreover, through archeology, we are able to comprehend the analysis, interpretations, and processes that describe early cultures. The origin of humankind can be well illustrated through sophisticated approaches in anthropology. The early human societies and their social cultures become evident from early prehistory to present.
Works Cited
Archeological Institute of America. Interactive Dig Achill Island. 2014. 17 November 2018. .
McDonald, T. "The Deserted Village, Silvermore, Achill Island." International Journal of Historical Archeology 2.2 (2009): 120-252.
Rathbone, S and T McDonald. "Achill Island: Irish Archeology from the Neolithic to the Great Famine." Current Archeology 1.1 (2011): 235.
