Ceide Fields

An important Neolithic archaeological site in the north west of Ireland.

Discovery:

• In the 1930s a local teacher realised that stones beneath the bog surface were once .

• His son became an archaeologist and undertook an investigation of the site:

• A traditional method used by local people to dig for  was used to identify where stones were located

• Carbon-dating later proved the site was Neolithic.

• Items are well-preserved in the bog because of a lack of  .

Neolithic settlers:

• Probably arrived from Scotland.

• Introduced cattle and  to Ireland.

• Land was cleared for farming with  or by using axes.

• Houses were  in shape and had a hole in the roof.

• Neolithic innovations include:

• cooking indoors

• pots used for storage and to make lamps

• Each field at Ceide was large enough to support a big  .

• The fields were probably used to restrict the grazing of animals - no evidence of structures to house them during .

• Analysis of  shows that crops were being cultivated but no evidence of wheat production.

Reasons for the decline in farming:

• A decline in soil quality.

• An increase in .