Hoards of the Irish Later Bronze Age regularly include different forms of rings and chain links t... more Hoards of the Irish Later Bronze Age regularly include different forms of rings and chain links that historically have been identified vaguely as tack components or ‘ornaments’; these occur, too, as stray finds. If, however, they are examined in their wider European context, it becomes clear that some represent components of a hitherto unrecognised class of Irish composite copper-alloy ornament, dating from the tenth–eighth/seventh centuries BC, and exemplified by the Derrane, Co. Roscommon, chain complex.
A complete copper-alloy linchpin in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM 918.33.95), ... more A complete copper-alloy linchpin in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM 918.33.95), ostensibly with the Irish provenance of ‘Dunmore, Co. Galway’ and found in 1855, is a component of the axle assemblage of a wheeled vehicle. It has no archaeological context, but typological and decorative parallels indicate a date in the range c. 750–600 BC, and a Continental origin. It draws attention once more to the vexed questions both of the existence and the nature of the wheeled driving vehicle in later Bronze Age Ireland.
Goldworking terms in early Irish writings Early Irish writings make numerous mentions of gold 1 ,... more Goldworking terms in early Irish writings Early Irish writings make numerous mentions of gold 1 , and of artifacts made from or adorned with gold. The diversity of terminology 2 indicates that early metalworkers in Ireland used a fairly extensive technical vocubulary which diffused into everyday speech, even if its various elements were employed with differing degrees of comprehension by the non-technical 3. We may divide recognisable goldworking jargon into three broad groups: (a) terms describing gold alloys, 4 (b) terms relating to refining and 1 We may note arguments that Irish or < Lat. aurum, like its counterparts in the other Celtic dialects (Lewis and Pedersen 1961, 58, $ 79: cf. Scott 1981 a for an archaeological viewpoint), with the Celtic original having been displaced in antiquity. Professor H. Wagner, to whom I am most grateful for much helpful advice and criticism on this work, kindly draws my attention to the element caneco-, skr. kanaka: IEW. 564-565, in a Gaulish inscription from Autun (Saone-et-Loire: Dottin 1920, II, 163; Whatmough 1970, 493-495,162). Also worthy of note are the glosses indicative of native Gaulish goldworking vocabulary collected from classical writers by Whatmough (1970). Gold is only found in Ireland from alluvial deposits from which it may be won by panning. The best-known sources are around Croghan Kinsella in Co. Wicklow, although a number of productive sources in N.Ireland are known. This means that all of the Irish goldworking vocabulary is directed to the processing of this source material and not to any form of gold ore. In this context, cf Met. Dinds. II, 46, Druim nDairbrech 21: Fine Chrecraige ind ur-6ir... = 'The fine of the Crecraige of the raw gold.. Λ 2 cf. the extensive goldworking vocabularies in Latin (e.g. Bailey 1929, 1932), Greek (e.g. Healy 1978), the ancient languages of the Near East (e.g. Oldberg 1941; Forbes 1964) and in Old Icelandic (note 7 below). 8 Similarly, today, as a result of mass media coverage, jargon terms from a wide range of high technologies have been implanted into everyday language, with frequent misuse. 4 We may distinguish between naturally occurring gold/silver alloys of the type called 'white gold' (λευκός χρνσός) by the Greeks, and the artificial alloy electrum.
... nology for brewing alcoholic beverage from it. Mead (fermented honey - Dickson 1978) or ferme... more ... nology for brewing alcoholic beverage from it. Mead (fermented honey - Dickson 1978) or fermented fruit juices, would seem simpler sources of alcohol.Furthermore, ... Page 2. psychoactive quinolizidine alkaloids (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis 1977, 401), used by the locals as ...
25.00SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:9082.7453(UM-Pub--266) / BLD... more 25.00SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:9082.7453(UM-Pub--266) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
Some thoughts on the introduction of non-ferrous metallurgy to Ireland and the possible character... more Some thoughts on the introduction of non-ferrous metallurgy to Ireland and the possible characteristics of the transition process.
... a transition period. Raftery (1951, 187) has suggested that two looped and socketed iron axes... more ... a transition period. Raftery (1951, 187) has suggested that two looped and socketed iron axes (fig. la) from the north of Ireland are copies of Late Bronze Age imple ments. These axes, one from the River Bann at Toome, Co. Antrim and the other from &amp;#x27;.. ...
The Materiality of the Horse eds Miriam Bibby and Brian G. Scott, 2020
Ireland has nearly one hundred and seventy examples of cheek-pieces, two examples dating from the... more Ireland has nearly one hundred and seventy examples of cheek-pieces, two examples dating from the Later Bronze Age, the rest from c. sixth to seventeenth centuries AD, the great majority of which are of insular design and manufacture. There is a highly distinctive class that has been categorised as ‘horse pattern’, by far the greatest number being in the collections of the National Museum of Ireland, It is clear, however, from the basic anatomical details depicted that the animal incorporated into the design is a male deer, a red deer stag or a fallow deer buck. It is a distinct group, but one without immediate parallels, datable provenances or associations, and it is very difficult to find any convincing precursor inside or outside Ireland, or to use stylistic features to provide a reasonably close date-range. Metal analysis would tend to indicate later rather earlier mediaeval, a view that might be supported by ceramic motif parallels and, by the dating of the introduction of fallow deer to Ireland at the start of the 13th century AD. This paper is a preliminary report on the type, and the detailed study will appear in my forthcoming Corpus of Cheek-pieces of Irish Origin, currently in preparation. The deer series forms Type 7 in my typology.
The 17th century exploitation of Irish ore and timber resources made initial profits for English ... more The 17th century exploitation of Irish ore and timber resources made initial profits for English entrepreneurs, but a combination of politics and geography ensuring that success was short-lived, and that asset strippers were, themselves often stripped.
This is a pre-print of the paper published in the Journal of Irish Archaeology XXVII, 2019, 17–48... more This is a pre-print of the paper published in the Journal of Irish Archaeology XXVII, 2019, 17–48.
The rise of equitation in the Later (i.e. Dowris) Ireland, evidenced by a small but significant group of artefacts, is suggested to have contributed to the socioeconomic instability that led to the Dowris 'dark age'. The horse significantly increased the range over which people could travel in a day and would have increased the catchment area for raiding for livestock and slaves, as well as the recruitment area for potential allies. This discussion is confined to the period before c. 700 BC, and does not discuss the role of the horse in Iron Age society and beyond.
This paper examines the evidence for the location of the battle of the Erne fords, which has been... more This paper examines the evidence for the location of the battle of the Erne fords, which has been variously located upstream from Belleek, Co Fermanagh. Study of the modern topography demonstrates that most of the features can be linked to those illustrated in the depiction of the battle by the English soldier John Thomas, thus placing it squarely at the western edge of the modern town.
1 Making Dystopia: The Strange Rise and Survival of Architectural Barbarism. James Stevens Curl. ... more 1 Making Dystopia: The Strange Rise and Survival of Architectural Barbarism. James Stevens Curl. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2018. xviii and 551pp, 71 plates and 29 line illustrations. ISBN 978 0 19 875369 8 (hb) Price £45.00 ($60.00 USA).
The paper discusses the availability and use of mortars in Ireland in the 17th century, noting th... more The paper discusses the availability and use of mortars in Ireland in the 17th century, noting their seeming absence prior to the 1640s. The use of mortars in the siege of Londonderry in 1689 is analysed.
The paper draws attention to passages in early Irish texts that contain references to iron ore mi... more The paper draws attention to passages in early Irish texts that contain references to iron ore mining and processing.
Please note that I did not see proofs, so that there are errors in the Irish - for example Silm Buinne should read Sil mBuinne.
I hope to upload a corrected version in due course.
In 1974, a sword-blade recovered during dredging operations in the River Blackwater between the t... more In 1974, a sword-blade recovered during dredging operations in the River Blackwater between the townlands of Copney, Co. Armagh and Derrygally, Co. Tyrone was brought to the Ulster Museum. Although badly damaged by corrosion, traces of an inlaid pattern could be seen clearly on both faces. Although the sword as it was found had lost its pommel and nearly all of its hilt-furniture and guard, the blade and its tang survive to what would appear to be its full length of 100.9 cm (Fig. 2). The most noticeable features of the piece, even in the condition in which it was brought to the museum, were the elaborate panels of white-metal decoration inlaid into the fuller on both faces.
From Mac Niocaill, G. and Wallace, P.F. eds (1988) Keimelia: studies in mediaeval archaeology and history, Galway (University Press).
The paper discusses occurrences of native copper in north-east Ulster, along with a consideration... more The paper discusses occurrences of native copper in north-east Ulster, along with a consideration of whether acquaintance with the metal as a result of familiarity with copper pigments might have contributed to the attractiveness of the technology at the end of the Neolithic.
This paper, co-authored with Peter J. Francis, was published in 'Irish Antiquity - essays and studies presented to Professor M.J. O'Kelly', edited D O Corrain, Cork 1981.
Burgess and Shennan (1977) offered a fresh consideration of the nature of the Beaker phenomenon, ... more Burgess and Shennan (1977) offered a fresh consideration of the nature of the Beaker phenomenon, suggesting that Beakers and Beaker-compatible material may have spread, not by traditionally-accepted migratory movement, but rather, primarily, through diffusion of a novel religious cult whose rites included intoxication. This paper sets out to examine briefly two of the implications of this hypothesis, that of the use of intoxicants in ritual, and of diffusion for the earliest Bronze Age in Ireland.
Hoards of the Irish Later Bronze Age regularly include different forms of rings and chain links t... more Hoards of the Irish Later Bronze Age regularly include different forms of rings and chain links that historically have been identified vaguely as tack components or ‘ornaments’; these occur, too, as stray finds. If, however, they are examined in their wider European context, it becomes clear that some represent components of a hitherto unrecognised class of Irish composite copper-alloy ornament, dating from the tenth–eighth/seventh centuries BC, and exemplified by the Derrane, Co. Roscommon, chain complex.
A complete copper-alloy linchpin in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM 918.33.95), ... more A complete copper-alloy linchpin in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM 918.33.95), ostensibly with the Irish provenance of ‘Dunmore, Co. Galway’ and found in 1855, is a component of the axle assemblage of a wheeled vehicle. It has no archaeological context, but typological and decorative parallels indicate a date in the range c. 750–600 BC, and a Continental origin. It draws attention once more to the vexed questions both of the existence and the nature of the wheeled driving vehicle in later Bronze Age Ireland.
Goldworking terms in early Irish writings Early Irish writings make numerous mentions of gold 1 ,... more Goldworking terms in early Irish writings Early Irish writings make numerous mentions of gold 1 , and of artifacts made from or adorned with gold. The diversity of terminology 2 indicates that early metalworkers in Ireland used a fairly extensive technical vocubulary which diffused into everyday speech, even if its various elements were employed with differing degrees of comprehension by the non-technical 3. We may divide recognisable goldworking jargon into three broad groups: (a) terms describing gold alloys, 4 (b) terms relating to refining and 1 We may note arguments that Irish or < Lat. aurum, like its counterparts in the other Celtic dialects (Lewis and Pedersen 1961, 58, $ 79: cf. Scott 1981 a for an archaeological viewpoint), with the Celtic original having been displaced in antiquity. Professor H. Wagner, to whom I am most grateful for much helpful advice and criticism on this work, kindly draws my attention to the element caneco-, skr. kanaka: IEW. 564-565, in a Gaulish inscription from Autun (Saone-et-Loire: Dottin 1920, II, 163; Whatmough 1970, 493-495,162). Also worthy of note are the glosses indicative of native Gaulish goldworking vocabulary collected from classical writers by Whatmough (1970). Gold is only found in Ireland from alluvial deposits from which it may be won by panning. The best-known sources are around Croghan Kinsella in Co. Wicklow, although a number of productive sources in N.Ireland are known. This means that all of the Irish goldworking vocabulary is directed to the processing of this source material and not to any form of gold ore. In this context, cf Met. Dinds. II, 46, Druim nDairbrech 21: Fine Chrecraige ind ur-6ir... = 'The fine of the Crecraige of the raw gold.. Λ 2 cf. the extensive goldworking vocabularies in Latin (e.g. Bailey 1929, 1932), Greek (e.g. Healy 1978), the ancient languages of the Near East (e.g. Oldberg 1941; Forbes 1964) and in Old Icelandic (note 7 below). 8 Similarly, today, as a result of mass media coverage, jargon terms from a wide range of high technologies have been implanted into everyday language, with frequent misuse. 4 We may distinguish between naturally occurring gold/silver alloys of the type called 'white gold' (λευκός χρνσός) by the Greeks, and the artificial alloy electrum.
... nology for brewing alcoholic beverage from it. Mead (fermented honey - Dickson 1978) or ferme... more ... nology for brewing alcoholic beverage from it. Mead (fermented honey - Dickson 1978) or fermented fruit juices, would seem simpler sources of alcohol.Furthermore, ... Page 2. psychoactive quinolizidine alkaloids (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis 1977, 401), used by the locals as ...
25.00SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:9082.7453(UM-Pub--266) / BLD... more 25.00SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:9082.7453(UM-Pub--266) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
Some thoughts on the introduction of non-ferrous metallurgy to Ireland and the possible character... more Some thoughts on the introduction of non-ferrous metallurgy to Ireland and the possible characteristics of the transition process.
... a transition period. Raftery (1951, 187) has suggested that two looped and socketed iron axes... more ... a transition period. Raftery (1951, 187) has suggested that two looped and socketed iron axes (fig. la) from the north of Ireland are copies of Late Bronze Age imple ments. These axes, one from the River Bann at Toome, Co. Antrim and the other from &amp;#x27;.. ...
The Materiality of the Horse eds Miriam Bibby and Brian G. Scott, 2020
Ireland has nearly one hundred and seventy examples of cheek-pieces, two examples dating from the... more Ireland has nearly one hundred and seventy examples of cheek-pieces, two examples dating from the Later Bronze Age, the rest from c. sixth to seventeenth centuries AD, the great majority of which are of insular design and manufacture. There is a highly distinctive class that has been categorised as ‘horse pattern’, by far the greatest number being in the collections of the National Museum of Ireland, It is clear, however, from the basic anatomical details depicted that the animal incorporated into the design is a male deer, a red deer stag or a fallow deer buck. It is a distinct group, but one without immediate parallels, datable provenances or associations, and it is very difficult to find any convincing precursor inside or outside Ireland, or to use stylistic features to provide a reasonably close date-range. Metal analysis would tend to indicate later rather earlier mediaeval, a view that might be supported by ceramic motif parallels and, by the dating of the introduction of fallow deer to Ireland at the start of the 13th century AD. This paper is a preliminary report on the type, and the detailed study will appear in my forthcoming Corpus of Cheek-pieces of Irish Origin, currently in preparation. The deer series forms Type 7 in my typology.
The 17th century exploitation of Irish ore and timber resources made initial profits for English ... more The 17th century exploitation of Irish ore and timber resources made initial profits for English entrepreneurs, but a combination of politics and geography ensuring that success was short-lived, and that asset strippers were, themselves often stripped.
This is a pre-print of the paper published in the Journal of Irish Archaeology XXVII, 2019, 17–48... more This is a pre-print of the paper published in the Journal of Irish Archaeology XXVII, 2019, 17–48.
The rise of equitation in the Later (i.e. Dowris) Ireland, evidenced by a small but significant group of artefacts, is suggested to have contributed to the socioeconomic instability that led to the Dowris 'dark age'. The horse significantly increased the range over which people could travel in a day and would have increased the catchment area for raiding for livestock and slaves, as well as the recruitment area for potential allies. This discussion is confined to the period before c. 700 BC, and does not discuss the role of the horse in Iron Age society and beyond.
This paper examines the evidence for the location of the battle of the Erne fords, which has been... more This paper examines the evidence for the location of the battle of the Erne fords, which has been variously located upstream from Belleek, Co Fermanagh. Study of the modern topography demonstrates that most of the features can be linked to those illustrated in the depiction of the battle by the English soldier John Thomas, thus placing it squarely at the western edge of the modern town.
1 Making Dystopia: The Strange Rise and Survival of Architectural Barbarism. James Stevens Curl. ... more 1 Making Dystopia: The Strange Rise and Survival of Architectural Barbarism. James Stevens Curl. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2018. xviii and 551pp, 71 plates and 29 line illustrations. ISBN 978 0 19 875369 8 (hb) Price £45.00 ($60.00 USA).
The paper discusses the availability and use of mortars in Ireland in the 17th century, noting th... more The paper discusses the availability and use of mortars in Ireland in the 17th century, noting their seeming absence prior to the 1640s. The use of mortars in the siege of Londonderry in 1689 is analysed.
The paper draws attention to passages in early Irish texts that contain references to iron ore mi... more The paper draws attention to passages in early Irish texts that contain references to iron ore mining and processing.
Please note that I did not see proofs, so that there are errors in the Irish - for example Silm Buinne should read Sil mBuinne.
I hope to upload a corrected version in due course.
In 1974, a sword-blade recovered during dredging operations in the River Blackwater between the t... more In 1974, a sword-blade recovered during dredging operations in the River Blackwater between the townlands of Copney, Co. Armagh and Derrygally, Co. Tyrone was brought to the Ulster Museum. Although badly damaged by corrosion, traces of an inlaid pattern could be seen clearly on both faces. Although the sword as it was found had lost its pommel and nearly all of its hilt-furniture and guard, the blade and its tang survive to what would appear to be its full length of 100.9 cm (Fig. 2). The most noticeable features of the piece, even in the condition in which it was brought to the museum, were the elaborate panels of white-metal decoration inlaid into the fuller on both faces.
From Mac Niocaill, G. and Wallace, P.F. eds (1988) Keimelia: studies in mediaeval archaeology and history, Galway (University Press).
The paper discusses occurrences of native copper in north-east Ulster, along with a consideration... more The paper discusses occurrences of native copper in north-east Ulster, along with a consideration of whether acquaintance with the metal as a result of familiarity with copper pigments might have contributed to the attractiveness of the technology at the end of the Neolithic.
This paper, co-authored with Peter J. Francis, was published in 'Irish Antiquity - essays and studies presented to Professor M.J. O'Kelly', edited D O Corrain, Cork 1981.
Burgess and Shennan (1977) offered a fresh consideration of the nature of the Beaker phenomenon, ... more Burgess and Shennan (1977) offered a fresh consideration of the nature of the Beaker phenomenon, suggesting that Beakers and Beaker-compatible material may have spread, not by traditionally-accepted migratory movement, but rather, primarily, through diffusion of a novel religious cult whose rites included intoxication. This paper sets out to examine briefly two of the implications of this hypothesis, that of the use of intoxicants in ritual, and of diffusion for the earliest Bronze Age in Ireland.
Radomír Pleiner’s death in January 2015 marked the end of an era. For sixty years he was one of t... more Radomír Pleiner’s death in January 2015 marked the end of an era. For sixty years he was one of the key figures in the study of early iron working, as demonstrated by his remarkable publication record of 12 books and over 250 papers. He was the founder member of the CPSA and remained its secretary for over forty years. An obituary was printed in the Spring 2015 issue of The Crucible, outlining his career and achievements, but it was decided that a longer, and less formal, celebration of his life and work should also be prepared. The tributes which follow include a number of personal reminiscences from the golden years of Radomír’s career, which are in a roughly chronological order, as well as a few thematic items. They are all a clear demonstration of the affection in which Radomír was held, of how widely his inspiration and influence were felt by his friends and colleagues and how they are still felt by succeeding generations. His lasting legacy will undoubtedly be his two magisterial books, Iron in Archaeology: The European Bloomery Smelters (2000) and Iron in Archaeology: Early European Blacksmiths (2006) which formed a fitting conclusion to his long and uniquely successful career. However, for those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Radomír it will be for his human qualities that he will be long remembered.
Compiled by Peter Crew and Jiří Hošek. Contributions by Szymon Orzechowski, Elzbieta Nosek, Vladimir Zavyalov, Henry Cleere, Thilo Rehren, Henriette Lyngstrøm, Brian G. Scott, Věra Souchopová, János Gömöri, Lars F. Stenvik, Michel Mangin, Philippe Fluzin, Eva Hjärthner-Holdar, Christina Risberg, Peter and Susan Crew, Philippe Andrieux, Jiří Hošek, Vincent Serneels, Brian Gilmour, Janet Lang.
Review of the recent publication of excavations at Clogh Oughter Castle, Co. Cavan, by Conleth Ma... more Review of the recent publication of excavations at Clogh Oughter Castle, Co. Cavan, by Conleth Manning. in Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 71, 2012, 192-196
This study of the cannon in the historic walled City of Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland, cove... more This study of the cannon in the historic walled City of Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland, covers their history and the technology of their production. The majority arrived in the City between 1600 and 1642, and the founders of most can be identified with certainty. The book also brings together the documentary evidence for the development of the city walls and defences, and the history of the use of the cannon during the Great Rebellion of 1641 and the Jacobite Siege in 1689.
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Papers by Brian G Scott
The rise of equitation in the Later (i.e. Dowris) Ireland, evidenced by a small but significant group of artefacts, is suggested to have contributed to the socioeconomic instability that led to the Dowris 'dark age'. The horse significantly increased the range over which people could travel in a day and would have increased the catchment area for raiding for livestock and slaves, as well as the recruitment area for potential allies. This discussion is confined to the period before c. 700 BC, and does not discuss the role of the horse in Iron Age society and beyond.
located upstream from Belleek, Co Fermanagh. Study of the modern topography demonstrates that most
of the features can be linked to those illustrated in the depiction of the battle by the English soldier John
Thomas, thus placing it squarely at the western edge of the modern town.
Please note that I did not see proofs, so that there are errors in the Irish - for example
Silm Buinne should read Sil mBuinne.
I hope to upload a corrected version in due course.
From Mac Niocaill, G. and Wallace, P.F. eds (1988) Keimelia: studies in mediaeval archaeology and history, Galway (University Press).
This paper, co-authored with Peter J. Francis, was published in 'Irish Antiquity - essays and studies presented to Professor M.J. O'Kelly', edited D O Corrain, Cork 1981.
The rise of equitation in the Later (i.e. Dowris) Ireland, evidenced by a small but significant group of artefacts, is suggested to have contributed to the socioeconomic instability that led to the Dowris 'dark age'. The horse significantly increased the range over which people could travel in a day and would have increased the catchment area for raiding for livestock and slaves, as well as the recruitment area for potential allies. This discussion is confined to the period before c. 700 BC, and does not discuss the role of the horse in Iron Age society and beyond.
located upstream from Belleek, Co Fermanagh. Study of the modern topography demonstrates that most
of the features can be linked to those illustrated in the depiction of the battle by the English soldier John
Thomas, thus placing it squarely at the western edge of the modern town.
Please note that I did not see proofs, so that there are errors in the Irish - for example
Silm Buinne should read Sil mBuinne.
I hope to upload a corrected version in due course.
From Mac Niocaill, G. and Wallace, P.F. eds (1988) Keimelia: studies in mediaeval archaeology and history, Galway (University Press).
This paper, co-authored with Peter J. Francis, was published in 'Irish Antiquity - essays and studies presented to Professor M.J. O'Kelly', edited D O Corrain, Cork 1981.
Compiled by Peter Crew and Jiří Hošek. Contributions by Szymon Orzechowski, Elzbieta Nosek, Vladimir Zavyalov, Henry Cleere, Thilo Rehren, Henriette Lyngstrøm, Brian G. Scott, Věra Souchopová, János Gömöri, Lars F. Stenvik, Michel Mangin, Philippe Fluzin, Eva Hjärthner-Holdar, Christina Risberg, Peter and Susan Crew, Philippe Andrieux, Jiří Hošek, Vincent Serneels, Brian Gilmour, Janet Lang.
in
Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 71, 2012, 192-196