Ceide Fields

An important Neolithic archaeological site in north-west Ireland

Discovery

• In the 1930s, a schoolteacher concluded that the stones beneath the peat were parts of 1. .
• His 2.  later became an archaeologist and began a formal study of the location: - iron probes adapted a local technique for finding 3.  hidden in the bog - carbon dating subsequently confirmed the site's Neolithic age.
• Artefacts remain in excellent condition because the peat contains very little 4. .

Neolithic farmers

• Their homes were 5.  in design and included an opening in the roof.
• New practices and technology included: - preparing food inside - using pots for storage and as 6. .
• One field could provide enough grazing for a large 7. .
• The absence of animal shelters suggests that livestock remained outside during the 8. .

Reasons farming ended

• lower 9.  quality
• a rise in the amount of 10.