- Ireland
Sam Hughes
University College Dublin, Archaeology, Graduate Student
- Iron Age (Archaeology), Archaeology, History, Iron Age Ireland (Archaeology), Prehistoric Archaeology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), and 12 moreHuman Osteology, European Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Iron Age, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Swordsmithing In Iron Age Northern Europe, Swords, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Ancient Warfare, Irish Archaeology, and European Prehistory (Archaeology)edit
- MA Prehistory from UCD, currently digs holes for a living. interested in Late Prehistoric Ireland and links with Roman Britain and beyondedit
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... 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.
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.
Research Interests:
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... 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.
Research Interests: Roman Empire, Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Irish Archaeology, Later prehistoric Britain and Europe, Irish/British prehistory, and 11 moreEuropean Prehistory (Archaeology), Ancient Warfare, Iron Age, Swordsmanship, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Roman Iron Age, Swords, European Iron Age, Roman Archaeology, Swordsmithing In Iron Age Northern Europe, and Later European Prehistory
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.