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Life, death and environment at Lagore Crannog: Parasites, land-use and a royal residence in later prehistoric and early medieval Ireland

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Lagore, Co. Meath, has long been a type-site for artificial lake dwellings known as crannogs since excavation in the 1930s by the Harvard Expedition. Renowned for rich finds and documented as the seat of the kings of Southern Brega (8th and 10th centuries AD), alongside the high-status and royal functions of the site, it is now widely recognised that Lagore had a long history of activity stretching back into later prehistory with evidence of deposition of human and animal remains, and metalwork of the Bronze & Iron Ages, and early medieval period. Lagore continues to fascinate, due to the longevity of activity evident at the site and the highly ritualised and violent nature of the early phases that shed light on kingship and ritual. Nonetheless, a poor stratigraphic and archival record has engendered much debate about its character and phasing, the timings and tempos of its origins, and the longer-term history of the lough and within regional settlement.This paper aims to utilise multi-proxy analysis (Palynology, Geochemistry, LOI, Colour & FTIR-ATR) to provide a deeper chronological understanding of land-use and occupation at Lagore, spanning the later prehistoric period until the 11th century AD. The most significant findings include: 1) From at least 470BC, the landscape of Lagore played a significant role in occupation and economy, with evidence of mixed agricultural lifestyles (pastoral activity, barley and oats/wheat cultivation). 2) Substantial economic and population decline between AD~425 until AD~555. A smaller economic lull: 100BC-AD100. 3) A gradual agricultural recovery from c.AD555-620 and likely main construction phase of the crannog proper. This is slightly earlier than the proposed mid-7th century construction date by Hencken. 4) Intensification and diversification of arable crops (wheat/oats, rye a high-status crop, flax, and cannabis type) from AD~620-640 that likely mark the transitions of the crannog into a royal residence. The geochemical results also display a potential iron working signal supporting the archaeological evidence for high-status metalworking on site.

Source: Journal of Archaeological Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106105

Authors: SE Jones, P Gleeson, O. López-Costas, A Martínez-Cortizas, T Mighall, G Noble