Textuality » 3A Interacting
- The Celts were not the first inhabitants of Ireland.
- And of Ice Age, about 6000 B.C.: first immigration from Scotland to the Antrim Coast, moved further south. Primitive existence by hunting.
- First farmers who used stone implements, breed cattle, sheep and pigs.
- Bronze Age, about 2000 B.C.: new settlers; metalworkers (gold and copper).
- 500 B.C.: two waves of Celts: 1. from the continent into the west of the country; 2. through Britain into northeast Ireland.
- A century before Christ: Celts were well established and they dominated Ireland for nearly a thousand years.
- New Era: the Picts in the north and other pre-Celtic peoples were overthrown.
Evidences of Celtic Culture?
In the National Museum of Dublin, the greatest collection of prehistoric gold objects in Western Europe.
"The archaeological collection is the primary repository of ancient Irish artefacts and an indispensable source for researchers into the development of Irish civilization from prehistoric times until the end of the Middle Ages and beyond. The period covered by the exhibitions extends from the Mesolithic through to the end of the medieval period, and includes internationally known treasures such as the Ardagh Chalice, 'Tara' Brooch and Derrynaflan Hoard. The collection is significant in extent, diversity and quality and three areas are of acknowledged international standing. These are the prehistoric gold collections; ecclesiastical metalwork and personal ornaments of the early medieval period; and the Viking Dublin assemblage." [from www.museum.ie]