CLOSE THIS PAGE DINGLE PENINSULA - 6000 YEARS OF HISTORY
There is no other landscape in western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments as the Dingle Peninsula. This mountainous finger of land which juts into the Atlantic Ocean has supported various tribes and populations for almost 6,000 years. Because of the peninsula's remote location, and lack of specialised agriculture, there is a remarkable preservation of over 2,000 monuments. It is impossible to visit the Dingle Peninsula and not be impressed by its archaeological heritage. When one combines each site's folklore and mythology, which have been passed orally from generation to generation through the Irish language, one can begin to understand how unique and complex is the history of this peninsula.
THE MESOLITHIC PERIOD
Excavations at Ferriter's Cove, near Ballyferriter, have revealed evidence of the first settlers, who were hunters and gathers, exploiting the food sources along the coast, and also using locally-found hard stones to make tools. This site was inhabited during what is known as the Mesolithic Period (8000-4000BC). This was a temporary settlement, for seasonal use. It has produced a wide range of food such as hazel nuts, red deer, pig, hare, birds (including the guillemot and gannet). There were 14 different species of fish identified, among them wrasse, conger eel, thornback ray, tope and haddock. The remains of several species of shellfish can still be seen in the sand dunes of the area, where they were deposited 6,000 years ago. One of the most important finds were some cow bones, dating to 5700 BP (Before Present), making them the earliest evidence for cattle in Ireland. | |
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