The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland
This book details the archaeology of burnt mounds (fulachtai fia) in Ireland, one of the most frequent and under researched prehistoric site types in the country. It presents a re-evaluation of the pyrolithic phenomenon in light of some 1000 excavated burnt mounds. Charcoal-enriched soil, along with spreads and mounds of heat-affected stone, are one of the most common types of site found in Ireland, largely as a consequence of numerous discoveries made in the course of road building. They represent an accumulation of firing material associated with a prehistoric pyrolithic technology, which involved a process of heat transfer that centred on the use of hot stones immersed in water-filled troughs or placed in small, lined/unlined pits/ovens. During the Bronze Age, the use of this technology became widely adopted in Northern Europe, particularly Ireland, where the phenomenon is represented in the field as a low crescent-shaped mound. Even though burnt mounds are the most common prehistoric site type in Ireland, they have not received the same level of research as other prehistoric sites. This is primarily due to the paucity of artefact finds and the unspectacular nature of the archaeological remains, compounded by the absence of an appropriate research framework. This is the most comprehensive study undertaken on the use of pyrolithic technology in prehistoric Ireland, dealing with different aspects of site function, chronology, social role and cultural context.
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The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland
This book details the archaeology of burnt mounds (fulachtai fia) in Ireland, one of the most frequent and under researched prehistoric site types in the country. It presents a re-evaluation of the pyrolithic phenomenon in light of some 1000 excavated burnt mounds. Charcoal-enriched soil, along with spreads and mounds of heat-affected stone, are one of the most common types of site found in Ireland, largely as a consequence of numerous discoveries made in the course of road building. They represent an accumulation of firing material associated with a prehistoric pyrolithic technology, which involved a process of heat transfer that centred on the use of hot stones immersed in water-filled troughs or placed in small, lined/unlined pits/ovens. During the Bronze Age, the use of this technology became widely adopted in Northern Europe, particularly Ireland, where the phenomenon is represented in the field as a low crescent-shaped mound. Even though burnt mounds are the most common prehistoric site type in Ireland, they have not received the same level of research as other prehistoric sites. This is primarily due to the paucity of artefact finds and the unspectacular nature of the archaeological remains, compounded by the absence of an appropriate research framework. This is the most comprehensive study undertaken on the use of pyrolithic technology in prehistoric Ireland, dealing with different aspects of site function, chronology, social role and cultural context.
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The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland

The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland

by Alan Hawkes
The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland

The Archaeology of Prehistoric Burnt Mounds in Ireland

by Alan Hawkes

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Overview

This book details the archaeology of burnt mounds (fulachtai fia) in Ireland, one of the most frequent and under researched prehistoric site types in the country. It presents a re-evaluation of the pyrolithic phenomenon in light of some 1000 excavated burnt mounds. Charcoal-enriched soil, along with spreads and mounds of heat-affected stone, are one of the most common types of site found in Ireland, largely as a consequence of numerous discoveries made in the course of road building. They represent an accumulation of firing material associated with a prehistoric pyrolithic technology, which involved a process of heat transfer that centred on the use of hot stones immersed in water-filled troughs or placed in small, lined/unlined pits/ovens. During the Bronze Age, the use of this technology became widely adopted in Northern Europe, particularly Ireland, where the phenomenon is represented in the field as a low crescent-shaped mound. Even though burnt mounds are the most common prehistoric site type in Ireland, they have not received the same level of research as other prehistoric sites. This is primarily due to the paucity of artefact finds and the unspectacular nature of the archaeological remains, compounded by the absence of an appropriate research framework. This is the most comprehensive study undertaken on the use of pyrolithic technology in prehistoric Ireland, dealing with different aspects of site function, chronology, social role and cultural context.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781784919863
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing
Publication date: 08/13/2018
Pages: 342
Product dimensions: 8.27(w) x 11.65(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alan Hawkes Is A Phd Graduate From The Department Of Archaeology, University College Cork. His Thesis Dealt With The Archaeology Of Burnt Mounds And The Use Of Pyrolithic Technology In Prehistoric Ireland. Since Completing His Doctoral Studies, He Has Published A Number Of Papers Related To His Research And Has Worked As An Assistant Researcher On A Number Of Archaeology Projects. In 2016, He Established The Rathcoran Hillfort Project With Dr James O’driscoll, Which Aims To Address The Dating Of Ireland's Only Unfinished Hillfort. He Is Currently Working As A Consultant Archaeologist.

Table of Contents

PREFACE
CHAPTER 1: BURNT MOUNDS: AN INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: A HISTORY OF BURNT MOUND RESEARCH IN IRELAND
CHAPTER 3: PYROLITHIC TECHNOLOGY: THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
CHAPTER 4: THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF BURNT MOUNDS IN IRELAND
CHAPTER 5: CHRONOLOGY
CHAPTER 6: THE USE AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BURNT MOUNDS
CHAPTER 7: SETTLEMENT CONTEXT
CHAPTER 8: CULTURAL CONTEXT: THE LONGUE DUREE OF THE BURNT MOUND PHENOMENON
CHAPTER 9: RECONSIDERING THE BURNT MOUND PHENOMENON
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX 1: Additional tables
APPENDIX 2: List of excavated burnt mounds in Ireland 1950-2010
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