STONE AGE

The area has yielded a wealth of archaeological artefacts. Early Neolithic (4000 BC) tools have been discovered, indicative of a hunting or foraging existence. Evidence of house platforms, pits, and worked flints from late Stone Age suggest that human occupation at Rathdown commenced at this time.

The carinated bowl sherds shown above were found at Rathdown. They date from the early Neolithic (c. 4000). Carinated bowls such as these are the earliest pottery types found in Ireland.

Pottery, carinated ceramic bowl sherds, c. 4000 BC, Rathdown , Co. Wicklow,
Courtesy of National Museum of Ireland
Flint retouched blade from Rathdown
Courtesy of National Museum of Ireland
Flint retouched flake, Rathdown Upper
Courtesy of National Museum of Ireland
Leaf-shaped flint blade, Rathdown Upper.
Courtesy of National Museum of Ireland
Ireland's story ; a short history of Ireland for schools, reading circles and general readers, Charles Johnston, Houghton Mifflin, New York, 1905, page 1.

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.