INTRODUCTION

The bronze age is perhaps the most productive period of Ireland's prehistory in terms of artifacts. Certainly this period populates a prominent and sizable section of the National Museum with gold jewellry and (sometimes enigmatic) other items, and bronze weapons. Some of the artifacts of bronze age date that we have recovered have certainly been of unsurpassed craftsmanship and display a true mastery of the materials used, especially in the case of some bronze items. There is more to the two or so millenia of Ireland's past which we label 'bronze age', however, than fine museum pieces.

Hillforts suggest a high degree of social complexity and organisation, both in their scale suggesting long-term effort by large, organised groups and their locations. Suggestion is as far as it goes for now, though, as few have been excavated or fully surveyed, and despite the efforts of Prof. Barry Raftery of UCD and others to identify and classify hillforts we still cannot be certain that all types originate in the bronze age. Even where that seems probable we cannot define with certainty what their actual function was. Defensive structures? Prestige monuments? Food distribution and storage areas? Royal or religious centres? Or perhaps several of the above. The debate continues.

Hillforts present questions we cannot answer, and they are not alone in the bronze age in this regard. We also cannot be sure why it is that there seems to be a lull in activity spanning the late bronze age and early iron age, nor why there appears to be an upsurge in weapon manifacture preceding this lull. It is tempting to point to possible links between weapon manufacture, hillfort constrution, and other features and suggest scenarios which may explain them... but while we do discovery of bronze age sites, notably an increasing number of settlement sites, continues thanks to surveying and excavation resulting from road and housing projects. Such finds help us to deepen our understanding of the everyday aspects of life in the bronze age. Without such details we cannot progress our understanding of other areas of life during the period as, whatever the royalty or religious elites may have been doing, there can be little doubt that it was the structure of the greater society that enabled them to rise to prominence and maintain their position.

THE 'BRONZE AGE IRELAND' DISCUSSION GROUP

The 'Bronze Age Ireland' discussion group was founded in October 2000. Current membership stands at almost 100.

To join the discussion group, simply click the link below to create an auto-addressed email, and press 'Send'. You will shortly receive via email a confirmation request to which you must reply. Within minutes your membership will be logged and you can begin interacting with other group members online. New members are encouraged to send an initial message to the group introducing themselves, and mentioning their areas of interest in Ireland's bronze age period.

• Click here to subscribe to 'Bronze Age Ireland'

Members and non-members alike can freely access the group's archives. These help give a feel for the type of topics discussed for those considering subscribing, and help new members catch up on past debates. To view or search the archives, just click on the link below.

• Click here to view or search the 'Bronze Age Ireland' archives

RELATED DISCUSSION GROUP HOMEPAGES

• Irish Archaeology: the archaeology of Ireland of all periods
  
  
• Stone Age Ireland: the archaeology of the stone age period in Ireland (c.8000 - 2300BC)
  
  
• Iron Age Ireland: the archaeology of the iron age period in Ireland (c.500BC - 400AD)
  
  
• Settlement Studies: the archaeology, geography and history of settlement in Ireland of all periods

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Page last updated 18 September 2001