MA Prehistory from UCD, currently digs holes for a living. interested in Late Prehistoric Ireland and links with Roman Britain and beyond Address: Ireland
A group of Irish swords with Roman characteristics has been known to archaeologists since
the ear... more A group of Irish swords with Roman characteristics has been known to archaeologists since the early 20 th century but have always been considered Early Medieval due to a persistent perception that the Irish Iron Age was relatively untouched by the Roman Empire. Through a comparative study of Roman weapons in Britain and continental Europe, the research presented in this poster demonstrates that these swords are, in fact, likely to be derived from Early Imperial weapons. As such, the nature of contact with the Roman Empire and the meaning of these objects in an Irish context is also explored.
Iron Age swords are remarkable in terms of their short length compared to their contemporaries in... more Iron Age swords are remarkable in terms of their short length compared to their contemporaries in La Tène Britain and Continental Europe, a feature that has led to speculation that they were primarily stabbing weapons or a ceremonial object not intended for fighting. This research incorporates previously published swords with new material from a survey of Irish museum databases to examine the swords in terms of blade morphology and dimension to infer their possible use in battle. The study shows that the majority of swords from the period (c. 700 BC – c. 400 AD), both La Tène and sub-Roman, have features of stabbing weapons used for fighting on foot. This is at odds with the nature of weaponry found elsewhere in La Tène Europe, and highlights an insular development in Ireland during the period. Through two case studies, this analysis also shows that in interacting with the outside world, conscious choices may have been made when it came to importing weapons and ideas. By clarifying the suggestions made in other works about the uses of these swords, this article looks at the swords from a new dimension, one that also relates these weapons to the nature of warfare and society in Iron Age Ireland.
An excavation diary from the 1st season of excavation at the Hill of Ward, Co. Meath, under the d... more An excavation diary from the 1st season of excavation at the Hill of Ward, Co. Meath, under the direction of Dr. Cathy Moore and Dr. Steve Davis, UCD.
A group of Irish swords with Roman characteristics has been known to archaeologists since
the ear... more A group of Irish swords with Roman characteristics has been known to archaeologists since the early 20 th century but have always been considered Early Medieval due to a persistent perception that the Irish Iron Age was relatively untouched by the Roman Empire. Through a comparative study of Roman weapons in Britain and continental Europe, the research presented in this poster demonstrates that these swords are, in fact, likely to be derived from Early Imperial weapons. As such, the nature of contact with the Roman Empire and the meaning of these objects in an Irish context is also explored.
Iron Age swords are remarkable in terms of their short length compared to their contemporaries in... more Iron Age swords are remarkable in terms of their short length compared to their contemporaries in La Tène Britain and Continental Europe, a feature that has led to speculation that they were primarily stabbing weapons or a ceremonial object not intended for fighting. This research incorporates previously published swords with new material from a survey of Irish museum databases to examine the swords in terms of blade morphology and dimension to infer their possible use in battle. The study shows that the majority of swords from the period (c. 700 BC – c. 400 AD), both La Tène and sub-Roman, have features of stabbing weapons used for fighting on foot. This is at odds with the nature of weaponry found elsewhere in La Tène Europe, and highlights an insular development in Ireland during the period. Through two case studies, this analysis also shows that in interacting with the outside world, conscious choices may have been made when it came to importing weapons and ideas. By clarifying the suggestions made in other works about the uses of these swords, this article looks at the swords from a new dimension, one that also relates these weapons to the nature of warfare and society in Iron Age Ireland.
An excavation diary from the 1st season of excavation at the Hill of Ward, Co. Meath, under the d... more An excavation diary from the 1st season of excavation at the Hill of Ward, Co. Meath, under the direction of Dr. Cathy Moore and Dr. Steve Davis, UCD.
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Papers by Sam Hughes
the early 20 th century but have always been considered Early Medieval due to a persistent
perception that the Irish Iron Age was relatively untouched by the Roman Empire. Through a
comparative study of Roman weapons in Britain and continental Europe, the research
presented in this poster demonstrates that these swords are, in fact, likely to be derived
from Early Imperial weapons. As such, the nature of contact with the Roman Empire and the
meaning of these objects in an Irish context is also explored.
IJSRA by Sam Hughes
Conference presentations by Sam Hughes
the early 20 th century but have always been considered Early Medieval due to a persistent
perception that the Irish Iron Age was relatively untouched by the Roman Empire. Through a
comparative study of Roman weapons in Britain and continental Europe, the research
presented in this poster demonstrates that these swords are, in fact, likely to be derived
from Early Imperial weapons. As such, the nature of contact with the Roman Empire and the
meaning of these objects in an Irish context is also explored.