Papers (Articles, Chapters, and Reports) by Niamh Carty
Archaeological Excavations at South Main Street, 2003 - 2005 (edited by Maurice Hurley and Ciara Brett), pp 471 - 475, Aug 2014
Riocht na Midhe (25), pp 330 - 333, Feb 2014
Donegal Annual (Journal of the County Donegal Historical Society) 65: 9 - 15, 2013
Unpublished Report, Nov 2013
Unpublished Report, Nov 2013
Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society, Vol. XX (Part 3), pp 49 - 80, Oct 2013
Papers from the Institute of Archaeology UCL (24): Proceedings of EMASS 2012, Dec 2013
This paper seeks to examine the osteological evidence for decapitation from 30 skeletal assemblag... more This paper seeks to examine the osteological evidence for decapitation from 30 skeletal assemblages dated to the medieval period (6th to 16th century) from Ireland. This is the first time that this data has been examined in a comparative manner and across the population of medieval Ireland. Decapitation is traditionally presented and interpreted in the literature on a case study basis with most decapitations being attributed to an action that was carried out as a direct result of warfare. This paper aims to use the osteological data to re-assess these interpretations and to use this data along with historical and literary sources to try to gain a fuller understanding of this practice.
Ríocht na Midhe (24), pp 29 - 72, Feb 2013
This paper represents a detailed reinterpretation of the stratigraphy and development of the famo... more This paper represents a detailed reinterpretation of the stratigraphy and development of the famous early medieval royal site of Lagore crannog, located just south of the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath (Ireland). In particular, this paper presents an osteological analysis of the human remains uncovered from the early phases of the sites, and brooches the possibility that the early medieval remains might suggest the site was a place associated with violent ritual, and possibly judicial execution between AD 400-800. It argues that the distinctive development of Lagore's archaeology and royal purpose, can only be fully understood by placing the site within its landscape, historical and geo-political contexts.
With Dr. Barra O Donnabhain, 2012
Conference Presentations by Niamh Carty
This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for both antemortem and perimortem cran... more This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for both antemortem and perimortem cranial trauma of violent origin in the medieval period in 41 skeletal assemblages from across Ireland. These assemblages represent both the early (5th to 11th century) and later (12th to 16th century) medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland.
The paper will specifically examine the type of cranial trauma and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of this trauma. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals affected. Finally, assessments shall be undertaken of the possible weapon types used, the patterning of the wounds, whether the antemortem cranial trauma shows evidence of treatment or possible long-term neurological defects, and if this cranial trauma compares to accounts of trauma in the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland (for example Graham 1975, Thunder 1889, and Binchy 1966).
The aim of this talk is to inform the public about the value of preserving and analysing archaeol... more The aim of this talk is to inform the public about the value of preserving and analysing archaeologically derived human skeletal remains from Irish archaeological contexts. This talk will highlight the various elements we can discover about the biography of individuals who lived in our distant past. Through presentation and hands on demonstrations you can examine the human skeleton and learn about how osteoarchaeologists determine the age of death, sex, stature and possible pathologies of an individual. We will also discuss how through modern scientific methodologies we can discover information on past diets, evidence for trauma and facial reconstruction.
"It is often held that those of a dubious spiritual character or those who had met their end sudd... more "It is often held that those of a dubious spiritual character or those who had met their end suddenly in Medieval Ireland, without a chance to make amends would be buried in a “place apart”. Slain men often died without last rites and traditionally were buried on the less favoured north side of the church and there are churches dedicated solely to the slain such as Relig-na-Firgunta at Carrikmore, County Tyrone and one of the churches at Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg, County Clare which is known as Teampeall-na-bhfear-ngonta, “the church of the wounded (or slain) men” (Hamlin and Foley 1983, 43).
However, during the course of research into osteological evidence of violent trauma in Medieval Ireland, it appears that those who died with evidence of traumatic injuries were for the most part not treated differently in death. This paper aims to assess the mortuary practices associated with those individuals with violent injuries; where and how they were buried and if this differed from the rest of the wider community. This will be achieved through the analysis of grave types, grave inclusions, and the actual locations of the burials and will be examined in relation to various parameters such as the age, sex, and the type of the trauma they individual displays.
The osteological material will be placed in its appropriate contextual and historical context and it is hoped that by adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of how those that died violently were viewed by the rest of society in Medieval Ireland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQxlBmqcA8
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Papers (Articles, Chapters, and Reports) by Niamh Carty
Conference Presentations by Niamh Carty
The paper will specifically examine the type of cranial trauma and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of this trauma. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals affected. Finally, assessments shall be undertaken of the possible weapon types used, the patterning of the wounds, whether the antemortem cranial trauma shows evidence of treatment or possible long-term neurological defects, and if this cranial trauma compares to accounts of trauma in the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland (for example Graham 1975, Thunder 1889, and Binchy 1966).
However, during the course of research into osteological evidence of violent trauma in Medieval Ireland, it appears that those who died with evidence of traumatic injuries were for the most part not treated differently in death. This paper aims to assess the mortuary practices associated with those individuals with violent injuries; where and how they were buried and if this differed from the rest of the wider community. This will be achieved through the analysis of grave types, grave inclusions, and the actual locations of the burials and will be examined in relation to various parameters such as the age, sex, and the type of the trauma they individual displays.
The osteological material will be placed in its appropriate contextual and historical context and it is hoped that by adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of how those that died violently were viewed by the rest of society in Medieval Ireland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQxlBmqcA8
The paper will specifically examine the type of cranial trauma and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of this trauma. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals affected. Finally, assessments shall be undertaken of the possible weapon types used, the patterning of the wounds, whether the antemortem cranial trauma shows evidence of treatment or possible long-term neurological defects, and if this cranial trauma compares to accounts of trauma in the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland (for example Graham 1975, Thunder 1889, and Binchy 1966).
However, during the course of research into osteological evidence of violent trauma in Medieval Ireland, it appears that those who died with evidence of traumatic injuries were for the most part not treated differently in death. This paper aims to assess the mortuary practices associated with those individuals with violent injuries; where and how they were buried and if this differed from the rest of the wider community. This will be achieved through the analysis of grave types, grave inclusions, and the actual locations of the burials and will be examined in relation to various parameters such as the age, sex, and the type of the trauma they individual displays.
The osteological material will be placed in its appropriate contextual and historical context and it is hoped that by adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of how those that died violently were viewed by the rest of society in Medieval Ireland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQxlBmqcA8
The heads of the individuals who were decapitated in Medieval Ireland seemed to have had been situated in three ways; the head rearticulated with the body, the body buried without the head, and the head disarticulated from the body. Each of these created a separate space between the head and the body after death. Through these separate spaces, this paper investigates the notion of space and physicality by extending into symbolic interpretation of the mortuary practices.
The heads of the individuals who were decapitated in Medieval Ireland seemed to have had been situated in three ways; the head rearticulated with the body, the body buried without the head, and the head disarticulated from the body. Each of these created a separate space between the head and the body after death. Through these separate spaces, this paper investigates the notion of space and physicality by extending into symbolic interpretation of the mortuary practices.
The paper will specifically examine the type of decapitation and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of decapitation. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals being decapitated. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used and whether these decapitations represent judicial executions or are as a result of warfare shall be undertaken.
The information about decapitations gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889). The osteological information will be added to the work that has already been carried out on violence and warfare in medieval Ireland in relation to studying the written sources, weaponry, and fortifications (for example Finney 1998, Halpin 1986 and 2008, Simms 1975 and 1990).
By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Ireland can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts. This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Ireland and also to complement existing historiography of the period.
The paper will specifically examine the type of decapitation and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of decapitation. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals being decapitated. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used and whether these decapitations represent execution or warfare shall be undertaken.
The information about decapitations gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889). The osteological information will be added to the work that has already been carried out on violence and warfare in medieval Ireland in relation to studying the written sources, weaponry, and fortifications (for example Finney 1998, Halpin 1986 and 2008, Simms 1975 and 1990).
By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Ireland can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts. This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Ireland and also to complement existing historiography of the period.
The current historiography about warfare in early and late medieval Ireland concludes that pre-Norman warfare was characterised by outbreaks of small-scale localised conflict. The Anglo-Norman invasion is viewed as a watershed in terms of the scale of warfare and that the subsequent late medieval period was characterised by larger scale conflicts. This narrative will be tested using the osteological information to see if there is a change in the frequency, pattern and type of trauma encountered across these periods in Meath.
This paper will also include an examination of various other parameters that relate to the evidence for interpersonal violence including: the historical background to medieval warfare and violence, both interpersonal and state-mediated, the type of burial allowed to those who were killed violently, types of medieval weaponry (Halpin 2008 and Harbison 1976) that may have caused these interpersonal traumatic injuries in Ireland, and any evidence for treatment of traumatic injuries.
By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Meath can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts. This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Meath and also to complement existing historiography of the period.
The paper will specifically examine spatial differences of the burials of individuals displaying trauma within the cemeteries and the mortuary practices associated with these individuals. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the sex, age and underlying health of the individuals. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used, the rates of healed versus unhealed trauma, and whether the trauma represents execution or warfare, shall be undertaken.
This paper shall undertake to compare the range and type of trauma found in an Christain cemetery and trauma encountered on remains with an unusual providence. The information gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Meath specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889). The current historiography about warfare in early and late medieval Ireland concludes that pre-Norman warfare was characterised by outbreaks of small-scale localised conflict. The Anglo-Norman invasion is viewed as a watershed in terms of the scale of warfare and that the subsequent late medieval period was characterised by larger scale conflicts. This narrative will be tested using the osteological information to see if there is a change in the frequency, pattern and type of trauma encountered across these periods in Meath.
By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Meath can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts. This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Meath and also to complement existing historiography of the period.
More info at:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/archaeology/research/projects/thespikeislandproject/
https://www.ifrglobal.org/programs/eu/ireland-spike-island