- Ireland: A World without the Romans -
Coastal promontory forts, too, are enigmatic structures about which we have little
information. While in most instances their dating is largely a matter of guesswork, it
is likely that some at least of the 250 or so examples belong to the Iron Age. This
can, however, only be demonstrated at a single site, at Drumanagh, Loughshinny,
Co. Dublin, where a sherd of Gallo-Roman samian ware was found some years ago
in association with occupation debris in disturbed soil within the fort (Raftery 1989:
139). Its east coast location and the presence of an excellent harbour there would
have made this a choice site for trade between Ireland and the provincial Roman
world and recently reported, as yet unpublished, finds from there appear to confirm
its exceptional importance in this regard.
BURIALSThe burial record of iron age Ireland is not extensive (Raftery 1981). As far as we
can tell cremation was the earlier rite. The remains of the dead were placed in simple
pits which were sometimes inserted into earlier barrows, sometimes covered by
contemporary tumuli. It seems that the modest ring-barrow, a low circular mound
with enclosing ditch and external bank, was the most typical burial of the period. A
simple mound or an embanked enclosure was also, on occasion, used to mark the
interment. Grave goods are often absent. When present they amount to little more
than a few personal ornaments, mostly brooches, beads or bracelets. As far as we can
tell, inhumation, often in cist burials, becomes increasingly common in the centuries
after Christ.
Most of the burials datable to the Iron Age are of essentially indigenous character.
A few are, however, clearly exotic. A cremation found near Donaghadee, Co. Down
at a place referred to as 'Loughey' contains a range of glass and bronze artefacts
which undoubtedly represent the possessions of a southern English woman who was
buried in Ireland around the birth of Christ Gope and Wilson, 1957). Lambay and
Stonyford have already been adverted to and there are several other burials of the
early centuries AD which could well be those of foreigners from the provincial
Roman world. Such contacts could have played a part in bringing about the change
from cremation to inhumation which appears gradually to have been taking place at
this time.
SUMMARYDespite the fact that Ireland is generally regarded today as the Celtic country par
excellence it is somewhat ironic that the archaeology of the period is so vaguely
defined and so fraught with ambiguities. Hallstatt and La Tene, as defined on the
European mainland, are terms of only marginal significance for Irish cultural devel-
opments in the last half-millennium or so Be. Despite some spectacular metalwork
we know little of everyday society during this period. Debate continues as to the
source or sources of the influences which underlie our native Iron Age without a
general consensus emerging. It seems, however, abundantly clear that the ethnic651