Dig Uncovers African Beads Buried In Ancient (Irish) Village

Irish Examiner ^ | 5-22-2008 | Sean O’Riordan

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[Bon mots]

I’m not impressed.
When they uncover an i-Pod, then I’ll be impressed.

[Red Badger]

Let me know when they find Jeremiah’s walking stick.......

[LongElegantLegs]

She explained that the discovery of African beads showed that communities in Ireland were carrying out trade with north African ports.

Hmm. That's the most creative reason they could come up with?

[CholeraJoe]

I’m confused. What level were the African beads found in - Eighth century AD or 3000 years ago? The latter would be remarkable, the former sort of ho hum.

[pissant]

There’s alot of black guys named McMillan, McDonald, Campbell, etc. Now we know why. ;o)

[Calvin Locke]

She explained that the discovery of African beads showed that communities in Ireland were carrying out trade with north African ports.

Nothing about a Roman connection? Or perhaps through intermediaries closer to Africa, like Spain?

[Michael.SF.]

Souvenirs from St. Brendan's southern cruise?

[aft_lizard]

So they really did have an red headed irish step uncle.

[Joe 6-pack]

"There’s alot of black guys named McMillan, McDonald, Campbell, etc. Now we know why. ;o)"

Their known as the Black Irish...typified by names like O'Bama.

[DogBarkTree]

Looks like Africa left an impression on Ireland.

[r9etb]

She explained that the discovery of African beads showed that communities in Ireland were carrying out trade with north African ports.

Not necessarily. It all depends on who was trading with whom. If trade in the general region was widespread, the beads could have been at the end of a supply chain that went from Africa, across the Mediterranean to (say) Italy or Greece, up to France, across the Channel, and over to Ireland.

Or it could have been a single traveller from parts unknown.

[figetyfiggs]

These African beads don’t mean the Irish were trading with N. Africa. It could mean merchants from Iberia brought them to Ireland to sell, trade, or give as gifts.

The beads could also have been captured from an enemy who happened to possess the beads, gained perhaps from sacking a palace or raiding the coasts of southern Britain, France, or northern Spain.

Now, if we found Irish trade goods in Morocco then yeah, a stronger case could be made for Ireland-N. Africa trade.

[RKV]

Not really. It was typical that American slaves took the last name of their master. My slave owning ancestors gave theirs the last name of Elliott, same as theirs. How do I know you ask? They registered the slaves birth with the state of Virginia (1850-60s) as required by law. Course I got other relations on the other side of the Mason Dixon Line and the other side of the late unpleasantness. As do many folks.

[STD]

Bro, you must be messing with ebonics!

its not the late unpleasantness.

You darn fool, its the recent unpleasantness because I swar that it happened just a few yars back.

Now what kind of pickinney rattlarsnake is you?

[Charles Martel]

SOLDIER #1:
Where'd you get the beads?
ARTHUR:
We found them.
SOLDIER #1: Found them? In Hibernia? Those beads are African!
ARTHUR:
What do you mean?
SOLDIER #1:
Well, this is a temperate zone.
ARTHUR:
The swallow may fly south with the sun or the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land?
SOLDIER #1:
Are you suggesting that African beads migrate?

[STD]

Bro, where did I leave my gold chain? Darn, it was back when we were stuck in dat place full of red haired drunking leprachans, right Shamus?

[Tax-chick]

Ireland ping!

[Lijahsbubbe]

It is where the important Caherduggan ringfort and castle is supposed to have been and a large fair was held there annually.

Maybe they had renaissance fairs and sold African beads made by locals....