Posted on 02/06/2020 6:57:14 PM PST by SunkenCiv
People transported animals over huge distances for mass gatherings at one of Ireland's most iconic archaeological sites, research concludes.
Dr. Richard Madgwick of Cardiff University led the study, which analysed the bones of 35 animals excavated from Navan Fort, the legendary capital of Ulster. Researchers from Queen's University Belfast, Memorial University Newfoundland and the British Geological Survey were also involved in the research.
The site had long been considered a centre for ritual gatherings, as excavations found a huge 40m diameter building and a barbary ape cranium, likely from at least as far as Iberia. Results suggest the pigs, cattle and sheep were brought from across Ireland, perhaps being reared as far afield as Galway, Donegal, Down, Tyrone and Antrim. Evidence suggests some were brought over more than 100 miles.
Dr. Madgwick, based in Cardiff University's School of History, Archaeology and Religion, said: "Our results provide clear evidence that communities in Iron Age Ireland were very mobile and that livestock were also moved over greater distances than was previously thought.
"The high proportion of pig remains found there is very rare for this period. This suggests that Navan Fort was a feasting centre, as pigs are well-suited as feasting animals and in early Irish literature pork is the preferred food of the feast.
"It is clear that Navan Fort had a vast catchment and that the influence of the site was far-reaching."
Researchers used multi-isotope analysis on samples of tooth enamel to unlock the origins of each animal. Food and water have chemical compositions linked to the geographical areas where they are sourced. When animals eat and drink, these chemical signals are archived in their teeth, allowing scientists to investigate the location where they were raised.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
I think the O'ink family ran the kitchens there.
He’s here all weeks folks :)
Sounds like they liked to par-tay!
So it was a annual BBQ.
I wonder if the feasters looked anything like these guys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM-bQsbrGs4
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Bkm
Open Pit/ Turning Spit roasting was probably the preferred method for big slabs of meat. You don’t need an oven for that.
You could even say they went "whole HOG".
And here, ladies and gentlemen, is where the idea of an ‘Irish wake’ took root......*chuckle*
We are talking of Irishmen, after all.
It was the food and not the whisky?......yeah.............
Whisky don’t leave bones :-)
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