Theme:
The archaeology of material culture, bodies and landscapes
Session format:
Session, made up of a combination of papers, max. 15 minutes each
Title:
Boyne to Brodgar: researching Neolithic monumentality in Ireland and northern Britain
Content:
This session will introduce an international programme of research designed to explore the nature, developmental trajectories and inter-connectedness of Neolithic monuments in Ireland, the Isle of Man and northern Britain, and to explore wider Atlantic links. Inspired by Professor Johannes Müller’s (University of Kiel) major project on Neolithic monumentality in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia, and in memory of the late Dr Magdalena Midgeley, the initiative is still in its early stages, but this session will describe what has been achieved so far, what work is in the pipeline, and will offer some case studies that explore Neolithic monumentality and what it can tell us about the societies who built and used these monuments.
The papers in this session will cover: i) the research agenda that has already been developed by the author with Professor Gabriel Cooney (University College Dublin)to identify key research questions and the strategy to address them; ii) the background to the planned geophysical surveys in the Boyne Valley and on Rousay in Orkney by the German Archaeological Institute; iii) some case studies of landscapes with Neolithic monuments; and iv) evidence for long-distance contacts among Neolithic monument users along the Atlantic façade. A representative of Professor Müller’s project will offer guidance on the lessons learned from this huge research programme.
Keywords:
Neolithic, monumentality, megalithic tombs
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Main organiser:
Dr. alison sheridan (United Kingdom) 1
Co-organisers:
Professor Gabriel Cooney (Ireland) 2
Affiliations:
1. National Museums Scotland
2. University College Dublin
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