Archaeologists Uncover 8,000-Year-Old Settlement in Ireland

Archaeologists from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) have made a remarkable discovery in County Fermanagh, Ireland, unearthing evidence of an 8,000-year-old settlement while searching for the remains of the Derrygonnelly Castle. The team’s findings include artefacts dating back to the Mesolithic period, significantly pushing back the timeline of human activity in the area.

Prof Eileen Murphy, from QUB’s Centre of Community Archaeology, described the discovery as “mind-blowing.” She explained that the team initially focused on the castle, which was built approximately 400 years ago, but instead found evidence suggesting human presence as far back as 8,000 or 9,000 years ago. This period marks the arrival of Ireland’s first settlers during the early Mesolithic.

Significance of the Site

The landscape surrounding Derrygonnelly, characterized by a flat plateau near the River Sillies, would have provided an ideal habitat for early hunter-gatherers, offering rich resources such as fish and waterbirds. The archaeological team discovered microliths—small flint tools used for hunting and fishing—along with a core stone indicating that these tools were crafted on-site.

Prof Murphy emphasized the importance of the find, stating, “There’s very little early Mesolithic evidence in County Fermanagh, so we’ve put Derrygonnelly on the map now as a location for early Mesolithic activity.” The discovery not only adds to the understanding of Ireland’s prehistoric past but also highlights the region’s potential for further archaeological exploration.

In addition to the Mesolithic settlement, the team uncovered evidence of a Bronze Age house dating back around 4,000 years. Volunteer archaeologist Roy Browne from Comber played a pivotal role in this discovery, unearthing Bronze Age pottery during the excavation. Prof Murphy remarked, “It’s a site that keeps on giving… bringing it back to about 4,000 years ago, it’s incredible.”

Community Engagement and Educational Impact

The excavation, which lasted two weeks, saw the participation of over 200 volunteers, including students from St Patrick’s Primary School in Derrygonnelly. The involvement of local schoolchildren has created a buzz in the community, fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage. Dr Heather Montgomery, the project manager, noted the excitement generated by the dig: “Everybody’s talking about it in the town… the community and the local school children are learning so much about their heritage.”

Maria Scallon, a teacher from the primary school, observed the enthusiasm among her students. “It started all these questions about where we live and about the old church. They have just loved today and I definitely think there are some future archaeologists in the class,” she said.

Ten-year-old Niamh is among those inspired by the excavation, having discovered a chert artefact from the Mesolithic period. “I didn’t know what it was so I went and asked the man and he said it was very cool,” Niamh recalled. Another student, nine-year-old Niall, described the hands-on experience as “good but messy,” while Clodagh, also ten, found the day enjoyable, stating, “Being here is interesting, but schoolwork is boring.”

The dig was facilitated by the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Prof Murphy, originally from Derrygonnelly, expressed hopes that future funding will allow for more exploration of this unique site. The ongoing research promises to reveal further insights into Ireland’s ancient past and engage future generations in the study of archaeology.