A selection of some of the wonderful Bronze Age treasures which are are currently on display at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.
1. A Late Bronze Age gold collar from Gleninsheen, Co. Clare, it dates from c. 900-700 BC
2. An Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Ross, Co. Westmeath, it dates from c. 2000 BC
3. The remains of a Late Bronze Age gold necklace from Tumna, Co. Roscommon, it dates from c. 900-700 BC
4. Three Bronze Age gold bracelets
5. Late Bronze Age gold bracelets from Cooga Lower, Co. Limerick, they date from c. 900-700 BC
6. An Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Co. Tyrone, it dates from c. 2000 BC
7. A Middle Bronze Age gold torc, it dates from c. 12000-1000 BC
8. A Late Bronze Age hoard containing an amber necklace, a gold dress fastener and two bronze rings from Meenwaun, Co. Offaly, c. 900-700 BC
9. A Late Bronze Age hoard containing four bracelets and a ‘dress fastener’ from New Ross, Co. Wexford, c. 900-700 BC
10. Late Bronze Age gold ‘dress fastener’ from Clones, Co. Monaghan, it dates from c. 900-700 BC
11. Late Bronze Age gold ‘dress fastener’ from Castlekelly, Co. Galway, it dates from c. 900 -700 BC
12. Late Bronze Age gold bracelets from Limerick and Armagh, they date from c. 900-700 BC
13. An Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Killarney, Co. Kerry, it dates from c. 2000 BC
14. A Middle Bronze Age gold torc from Ballina, Co. Mayo, it dates from c. 1200-1000 BC
15. Three Late Bronze Age gold bracelets from Cashel, Co. Tipperary, they date from c. 900-700 BC
I am amazed. The craftsmanship achieved at such an early time is astounding!
The flat lanulae sure look Egyptian. Or .. as I like to refer to it…Egypt sure learned a lot from the country the Greeks referred to as ‘the most ancient’; Erin!
Has there been any recent discoveries accurate carbon dating could be carried out on or is everything just getting shredded by massive modern combine harvesters? These dates are sketchy at best!
The biggest haul of Irish gold was washed in a domestic sink under running water by unsuspecting wife of farmer. She may have let some of the smaller stuff go down the drain- she is not sure.
12000 – 1000 bce ? That’s early dryas /Gobekli tepe to early Iron age!
Personally, I’m willing to let the abomination that is Newgrange slide but I think Ireland needs to sharpen the tools in her archaeological utility belt!
I have attempted recently to contact the museums, the academic societies and some online experts. Response was something to the effect of “go do it yourself” and “theres nobody here qualified to answer your questions”.
There’s an amphitheatre on Dun Aengus nobody knows seems to know about. We have arguably the most UN-excavated countries on the planet with one of the oldest culture and language known to man.
Govt needs to invest big time!
There, I’ve had my rant!
Oisín
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