Mesolithic Ireland 8000BC – 4500BC
The Mesolithic Period dates from 8000BC – 4500BC and was when the first people arrived in Ireland. It’s believed the first settlers may have come from Scotland arriving on the North East coast of Ireland, where county Antrim is located today. Some historians believe the sea level between Ireland and Scotland may have been low enough to allow passage into Ireland by walking, others believe it was done by boat.
The arrival of the first people in Ireland
From certain locations in Antrim you can see Scotland so it wouldn’t have been impossible for Mesolithic people to cross at this point, taking into account the changes in the landscape since 8000BC. As Ireland was covered in a dense forest many believe the Mesolithic people may have settled in the coast and along rivers, near sources of food but the Mesolithic site at Lough Boora disproves this as the site was inland.
Mesolithic Settlements
It is believed the Mesolithic settlers lived in small groups building small settlements in key areas, near sources for food and flint to make tools. One of the most famous Mesolithic Settlement in Ireland is Mount Sandel, which is situated in Coleraine, County Derry. It is known to be the oldest human settlement in Ireland. Evidence that the archaeologists gathered from the site, dates back to 7600-7900 BC. The Excavation began in 1973 and ended in 1977. During the excavation the team found circular huts, rubbish and storage pits. Flint working areas were also found. These findings came by a fluke.
The Mesolithic site discovered at Lough Boora, County Offaly was found under a raised bog in 1977. Although no settlement huts were found at the site it may have been a seasonal hunting camp. Tools, ancient campfires and remains of food were also found at the camp.
There were several settlements found,by archaeologists, at the River Bann, which is Northern Ireland's longest river.This river is situated in the mourne mountains in County Down, and flows into the Lough Neagh at Bannfoot in County Armagh. To this day it remains one of the most popular rivers in Europe for fishing, as it did in Mesolithic times. It is near Portadown and it is connected to the Newry Canal which at one time gave access to the Irish sea. Archaeologists believe that the banks of the River Bann was an important location for Mesolithic people to settle because it provided food and transport.
How the Mesolithic people live in Ireland
Over the years archaeologists have discovered evidence about the Mesolithic people and when put together gives us a better insight on how they lived here.
Tools of the Mesolithic People
These Mesolithic people had not yet discovered metal so they used stone for tools and weapons. They were also highly skilled in shaping flint to make arrow heads, this was known as flint knapping. The Hunter-Gatherers used tools which are called microliths, and they were typically made from stone.Not only did they have a variety of food and tools,but they also had means and ways of transport. The Hunter-Gatherers made boats from hollowed out tree trunks, which they could use to not only travel down rivers but to use for fishing as well.
The Mesolithic camp discovered at Lough Boora uncovered over 1,500 of these artifacts but also gave us a clue to their eating habits
The sourcing of food
For their survival they hunted wild boar, using it's meat for food and it's skin for clothing and blankets. These wild boars were typically found in the forest, were the people would have also gathered fruit,nuts and berries. In rivers they fished for salmon, trout and eel. They also hunted for sea mammals such as dolphins, and they collected shell fish and seaweed. They are also to have caught birds, and collected their eggs.
Ancient campfires were discovered at the Lough Boora site along with the bones from wild pig and hare so these Mesolithic settlers hunted for food and most possibly used the campfires to cook.
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Further reading and sources
- Lough Boora Mesolithic Site - ulstermuseum.org.uk
- Mesolithic Ireland (8000 BC - 4500 BC) - ulstermuseum.org.uk
- 8,000 year-old axe head discovered on Inch Island - derryjournal.com
- Mesolithic Life - mountsandel.com
- Mesolithic society - danann.org
