Farming and foraging in Neolithic Ireland: an archaeobotanical perspective. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McClatchie, Meriel; Bogaard, Amy; Colledge, Sue; Whitehouse, Nicki J.; Schulting, Rick J.; Barratt, Philip; McLaughlin, T. Rowan
• Is Part Of: Antiquity. Volume 90:Number 350(2016)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Ireland, -- Neolithic, -- farming, -- foraging, -- archaeobotany; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.05
• DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2015.212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-598X

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : Ireland has often been seen as marginal in the spread of the Neolithic and of early farming throughout Europe, in part due to the paucity of available data. By integrating and analysing a wealth of evidence from unpublished reports, a much more detailed picture of early arable agriculture has emerged. The improved chronological resolution reveals changing patterns in the exploitation of different plant species during the course of the Neolithic that belie simplistic notions of a steady intensification in farming, juxtaposed with a concomitant decline in foraging. It is possible that here, as in other areas of Europe, cereal cultivation became less important in the later Neolithic.