Niamh Carty

This paper seeks to examine the osteological evidence for decapitation from 30 skeletal assemblages dated to the medieval period (6th to 16th century) from Ireland. This is the first time that this data has been examined in a comparative manner and across the population of medieval Ireland. Decapitation is traditionally presented and interpreted in the literature on a case study basis with most decapitations being attributed to an action that was carried out as a direct result of warfare. This paper aims to use the osteological data to re-assess these interpretations and to use this data along with historical and literary sources to try to gain a fuller understanding of this practice.

This paper represents a detailed reinterpretation of the stratigraphy and development of the famous early medieval royal site of Lagore crannog, located just south of the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath (Ireland). In particular, this paper presents an osteological analysis of the human remains uncovered from the early phases of the sites, and brooches the possibility that the early medieval remains might suggest the site was a place associated with violent ritual, and possibly judicial execution between AD 400-800. It argues that the distinctive development of Lagore's archaeology and royal purpose, can only be fully understood by placing the site within its landscape, historical and geo-political contexts.

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for both antemortem and perimortem cranial trauma of violent origin in the medieval period in 41 skeletal assemblages from across Ireland. These assemblages represent both the early (5th to 11th century) and later (12th to 16th century) medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland.
The paper will specifically examine the type of cranial trauma and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of this trauma. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals affected. Finally, assessments shall be undertaken of the possible weapon types used, the patterning of the wounds, whether the antemortem cranial trauma shows evidence of treatment or possible long-term neurological defects, and if this cranial trauma compares to accounts of trauma in the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland (for example Graham 1975, Thunder 1889, and Binchy 1966).

The aim of this talk is to inform the public about the value of preserving and analysing archaeologically derived human skeletal remains from Irish archaeological contexts. This talk will highlight the various elements we can discover about the biography of individuals who lived in our distant past. Through presentation and hands on demonstrations you can examine the human skeleton and learn about how osteoarchaeologists determine the age of death, sex, stature and possible pathologies of an individual. We will also discuss how through modern scientific methodologies we can discover information on past diets, evidence for trauma and facial reconstruction.

"It is often held that those of a dubious spiritual character or those who had met their end suddenly in Medieval Ireland, without a chance to make amends would be buried in a “place apart”. Slain men often died without last rites and traditionally were buried on the less favoured north side of the church and there are churches dedicated solely to the slain such as Relig-na-Firgunta at Carrikmore, County Tyrone and one of the churches at Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg, County Clare which is known as Teampeall-na-bhfear-ngonta, “the church of the wounded (or slain) men” (Hamlin and Foley 1983, 43). 

However, during the course of research into osteological evidence of violent trauma in Medieval Ireland, it appears that those who died with evidence of traumatic injuries were for the most part not treated differently in death. This paper aims to assess the mortuary practices associated with those individuals with violent injuries; where and how they were buried and if this differed from the rest of the wider community.  This will be achieved through the analysis of grave types, grave inclusions, and the actual locations of the burials and will be examined in relation to various parameters such as the age, sex, and the type of the trauma they individual displays.

The osteological material will be placed in its appropriate contextual and historical context and it is hoped that by adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of how those that died violently were viewed by the rest of society in Medieval Ireland.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQxlBmqcA8

Both historical and osteological evidence for decapitation in Medieval Ireland suggest a strong symbolic significance of the head during this period. Understanding the head’s relationship with the body is seminal for the comprehension of mortuary practices associated with those who were decapitated. By examining osteological evidence for decapitation in seventy-eight individuals from thirty-one archaeological skeletal assemblages which represent both the early (6th to 11th century) and late medieval (12th to 16th century) periods, this paper investigates decapitation in terms of the associated space between the severed head and body.

The heads of the individuals who were decapitated in Medieval Ireland seemed to have had been situated in three ways; the head rearticulated with the body, the body buried without the head, and the head disarticulated from the body. Each of these created a separate space between the head and the body after death. Through these separate spaces, this paper investigates the notion of space and physicality by extending into symbolic interpretation of the mortuary practices.

Both historical and osteological evidence for decapitation in Medieval Ireland suggest a strong symbolic significance of the head during this period. Understanding the head’s relationship with the body is seminal for the comprehension of mortuary practices associated with those who were decapitated. By examining osteological evidence for decapitation in fifty individuals from twenty-six archaeological skeletal assemblages which represent both the early (6th to 11th century) and late medieval (12th to 16th) periods, this paper investigates decapitation in terms of the associated space between the severed head and body.

The heads of the individuals who were decapitated in Medieval Ireland seemed to have had been situated in three ways; the head rearticulated with the body, the body buried without the head, and the head disarticulated from the body. Each of these created a separate space between the head and the body after death. Through these separate spaces, this paper investigates the notion of space and physicality by extending into symbolic interpretation of the mortuary practices.

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for decapitation in the medieval period in a number of skeletal assemblages from across Ireland which represent both the early and later medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland.

The paper will specifically examine the type of decapitation and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of decapitation. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals being decapitated. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used and whether these decapitations represent judicial executions or are as a result of warfare shall be undertaken.

The information about decapitations gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889).  The osteological information will be added to the work that has already been carried out on violence and warfare in medieval Ireland in relation to studying the written sources, weaponry, and fortifications (for example Finney 1998, Halpin 1986 and 2008, Simms 1975 and 1990).

By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Ireland can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts.  This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Ireland and also to complement existing historiography of the period.

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for decapitation in the medieval period in a number of skeletal assemblages from across Ireland which represent both the early and later medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland.

The paper will specifically examine the type of decapitation and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of decapitation. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals being decapitated. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used and whether these decapitations represent execution or warfare shall be undertaken.

The information about decapitations gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Ireland specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889).  The osteological information will be added to the work that has already been carried out on violence and warfare in medieval Ireland in relation to studying the written sources, weaponry, and fortifications (for example Finney 1998, Halpin 1986 and 2008, Simms 1975 and 1990).

By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Ireland can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts.  This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Ireland and also to complement existing historiography of the period.

This conference paper will assess the prevalence and impact of violent injuries on the population of medieval Meath though a study of archaeologically-retrieved human skeletal remains.  This will be achieved by taking an interdisciplinary approach and by comparing the archaeological data with the corpus of contemporary Irish medieval accounts and with the historiography of the period.

The current historiography about warfare in early and late medieval Ireland concludes that pre-Norman warfare was characterised by outbreaks of small-scale localised conflict.  The Anglo-Norman invasion is viewed as a watershed in terms of the scale of warfare and that the subsequent late medieval period was characterised by larger scale conflicts. This narrative will be tested using the osteological information to see if there is a change in the frequency, pattern and type of trauma encountered across these periods in Meath.

This paper will also include an examination of various other parameters that relate to the evidence for interpersonal violence including: the historical background to medieval warfare and violence, both interpersonal and state-mediated, the type of burial allowed to those who were killed violently, types of medieval weaponry (Halpin 2008 and Harbison 1976) that may have caused these interpersonal traumatic injuries in Ireland, and any evidence for treatment of traumatic injuries.

By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval Meath can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts.  This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Meath and also to complement existing historiography of the period.

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for violent trauma in medieval Meath in a number of skeletal assemblages, namely Kiltale, Johnstown, Colp, Colp West, Ratoath, Augherskea, Raystown, Lagore, and Trim Castle. This paper represents a case study looking at patterns of trauma within one region within the broader framework of my PhD research. Meath was chosen for this purpose because of the broad time span the skeletal assemblages represent (ca. 5th to 16th century) and the fact there are nine sites represented from a small area. All of the skeletal remains come from Christian cemeteries except the remains from Lagore and Trim Castle.

The paper will specifically examine spatial differences of the burials of individuals displaying trauma within the cemeteries and the mortuary practices associated with these individuals. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the sex, age and underlying health of the individuals. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used, the rates of healed versus unhealed trauma, and whether the trauma represents execution or warfare, shall be undertaken.

This paper shall undertake to compare the range and type of trauma found in an Christain cemetery and trauma encountered on remains with an unusual providence. The information gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information available about medieval Meath specifically relating to violence and warfare (for example Graham 1975 and Thunder 1889).  The current historiography about warfare in early and late medieval Ireland concludes that pre-Norman warfare was characterised by outbreaks of small-scale localised conflict.  The Anglo-Norman invasion is viewed as a watershed in terms of the scale of warfare and that the subsequent late medieval period was characterised by larger scale conflicts. This narrative will be tested using the osteological information to see if there is a change in the frequency, pattern and type of trauma encountered across these periods in Meath.

By adopting this interdisciplinary approach, a fuller picture of violence and trauma in medieval  Meath can be created and the osteological data can be situated within the appropriate archaeological and historical contexts.  This will add a new level to our understanding of the medieval period in Meath and also to complement existing historiography of the period.

The investigation of the site of a putative leper hospital uncovered the remains of a medieval forge associated with a 12th century Cistercian monastery.  The folk memory of the monastic association contributed to the sites later use as a burial ground.  Directed by Dr Barra O’Donnabhain with funding from UCC and University of California, Los Angeles.

This field school is part of a research project that examines the archaeology of the 19th century prison on Spike Island, Ireland’s Alcatraz. Dealing with criminals by means of long-term incarceration is a relatively recent development.  In Ireland and Britain, long-term confinement only became the dominant means of punishment and social control in the mid-19th century. The architecture of many of the purpose-built prisons from this period reflects new ideas about the redemptive nature of isolation, discipline and work. The physical isolation of prisoners was not possible on Spike Island which was an early 19th century fortress that was converted to a prison in 1847 at the height of the Great Famine. The prison was tied into the global reach of the British imperial system of power as in the early years of its operation, it was one of the main holding centers for Irish convicts transported to Australia and to Bermuda.  In the 2014 season, our principal focus will be on the convict burial ground and the bioarchaeology of the inmates who died at Spike Island.

More info at:

http://www.ucc.ie/en/archaeology/research/projects/thespikeislandproject/

https://www.ifrglobal.org/programs/eu/ireland-spike-island

The Inka empire was one of the largest of the ancient world, supported by a network of outposts. This project explores one of the best preserved of such outposts – the site of Moqi. Moqi comprises a commoner domestic area, an Inka-style civic-ceremonial sector, and several cemeteries. Our primary research interests lie in determining what brought the Inka to this valley, and how local and imperial populations interacted. Mortuary analyses are critical for learning about the identities of the site’s inhabitants and excavations in both the domestic and Inka parts of the site will shed light on how these groups articulated on a daily basis. This is a multidisciplinary project that explores the function of the site and its political, economic and ideological significance.

Excavations have taken place under the direction of Dr Colleen Zori (UCLA) and Jesús Gordillo at the Incan outpost site of Moqi, Southern Peru for the past two summer seasons (2012 and 2013), as part of an IFR (Institute of Field Research) archaeological field school with collaborations from archaeological staff from UCLA and USC in America, and UCC in Ireland, and architectural staff and students from the Universidad Privada de Tacna in Peru. This poster presentation will present the summary of the findings of the mortuary excavations at the site, with a focus on the mortuary practices uncovered at the settlement, as well as an overview of the demographic profiles, health status, and cultural affiliations of the people who were buried there.

The transition between the early and later medieval period in Ireland is traditionally placed in the latter half of the twelfth century, circa 1171 when the Anglo-Normans led by Henry II, King of England, landed at the port of Waterford. Henry’s objective was to take control of the territories conquered between 1169 and 1170 by his feudal vassals who had been enlisted by the King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada, in the latter’s struggles to regain control of his territories (Ó Cróinín 1995; Cosgrove 1981; Frame 1984). The subsequent centuries of war, conquest, unrest, cultural destruction, and colonisation are characteristically portrayed as a stark contrast to the preceding early medieval period (‘The Golden Age’ of Irish society) which is traditionally seen as a more peaceful period (O’Sullivan 1998, 178 - 81), with little unrest apart from small-scale violent outbursts in the form of cattle-raiding. As a consequence of this colonisation, the dawn of the later medieval period is proposed to have brought with it larger-scale bloodshed, warfare, and subsequently trauma. From the outset this paper will seek to test this historical narrative using the osteoarchaeological material and to examine if these major cultural and societal changes had an impact on the type of violent traumatic injuries uncovered on skeletal remains from both periods and on the demographic profile of individuals who died violent deaths during both eras. For this paper an examination of the actual osteological wounds and the cultural and archaeological context of these individuals will be undertaken to investigate if there is indeed a major shift in the later twelfth century in terms of evidence for interpersonal violence and if this evidence can be seen on the bodies of those who lived and died through these eras.

The Medieval Irish literary and annalistic sources are full of references to violence and murder during the early and later medieval period. For example, the Irish medieval chronicle, the Annals of Ulster alone contains 218 iugaltio entries. It means the “cutting of the throat (of)”, but is usually translated as “killing” or “slaying”. Most concern individuals, usually kings or members of royal kin-groups. It may have had a pejorative sense, throat-cutting denoting murder and therefore illegitimate killing (Dalton 1970, 111 – 112). The Irish medieval Law texts outline very specific and detailed punishments for various types of murders, indicating that murder was a well-known occurrence in the period (Roberts 1979). This paper proposes that the archaeological record can augment these documentary sources. There are numerous examples of skeletons with evidence for violent trauma uncovered from both Christian cemeteries and clandestine burial places dating from Medieval Ireland. Much of this trauma can be attributed to warfare and judicial practice but it certainly can be proposed that some of this relates to murder and personal vengeance during the period. A number of individuals from both the early and later medieval period have been uncovered with traumatic injuries that would suggest something other than the battlefield; skeletons with multiple violent, almost overkill trauma with more wounds than would be necessary to kill the individual. For this paper an examination of the actual osteological wounds and the cultural and archaeological context of these individuals will be undertaken to investigate if perhaps these individuals met their end by murder.

This conference paper will assess the prevalence and impact of violent injuries on the population of medieval Meath though a study of archaeologically-retrieved human skeletal remains. This will be achieved by taking an interdisciplinary approach and by comparing the archaeological data with the corpus of contemporary Irish medieval accounts and with the historiography of the period. The current historiography about warfare in early and late medieval Ireland concludes that pre-Norman warfare was characterised by outbreaks of small-scale localised conflict. The Anglo-Norman invasion is viewed as a watershed in terms of the scale of warfare and that the subsequent late medieval period was characterised by larger scale conflicts. This narrative will be tested using the osteological information to see if there is a change in the frequency, pattern and type of trauma encountered across these periods in Meath. This paper will also include an examination of various other parameters that re...

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for violent trauma in medieval Meath in a number of skeletal assemblages, namely Kiltale, Johnstown, Colp, Colp West, Ratoath, Augherskea, Raystown, Lagore, and Trim Castle. This paper represents a case study looking at patterns of trauma within one region within the broader framework of my PhD research. Meath was chosen for this purpose because of the broad time span the skeletal assemblages represent (ca. 5th to 16th century) and the fact there are nine sites represented from a small area. All of the skeletal remains come from Christian cemeteries except the remains from Lagore and Trim Castle. The paper will specifically examine spatial differences of the burials of individuals displaying trauma within the cemeteries and the mortuary practices associated with these individuals. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the sex, age and underlying health of the individuals. Finally, assessments of possible weapon t...

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for decapitation in the medieval period in a number of skeletal assemblages from across Ireland which represent both the early and later medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland. The paper will specifically examine the type of decapitation and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of decapitation. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals being decapitated. Finally, assessments of possible weapon types used and whether these decapitations represent judicial executions or are as a result of warfare shall be undertaken. The information about decapitations gleaned from these collections will then be compared to the corpus of historical information...

"It is often held that those of a dubious spiritual character or those who had met their end suddenly in Medieval Ireland, without a chance to make amends would be buried in a “place apart”. Slain men often died without last rites and traditionally were buried on the less favoured north side of the church and there are churches dedicated solely to the slain such as Relig-na-Firgunta at Carrikmore, County Tyrone and one of the churches at Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg, County Clare which is known as Teampeall-na-bhfear-ngonta, “the church of the wounded (or slain) men” (Hamlin and Foley 1983, 43). However, during the course of research into osteological evidence of violent trauma in Medieval Ireland, it appears that those who died with evidence of traumatic injuries were for the most part not treated differently in death. This paper aims to assess the mortuary practices associated with those individuals with violent injuries; where and how they were buried and if this differed from...

Both historical and osteological evidence for decapitation in Medieval Ireland suggest a strong symbolic significance of the head during this period. Understanding the head’s relationship with the body is seminal for the comprehension of mortuary practices associated with those who were decapitated. By examining osteological evidence for decapitation in seventy-eight individuals from thirty-one archaeological skeletal assemblages which represent both the early (6th to 11th century) and late medieval (12th to 16th century) periods, this paper investigates decapitation in terms of the associated space between the severed head and body. The heads of the individuals who were decapitated in Medieval Ireland seemed to have had been situated in three ways; the head rearticulated with the body, the body buried without the head, and the head disarticulated from the body. Each of these created a separate space between the head and the body after death. Through these separate spaces, this pape...

The aim of this talk is to inform the public about the value of preserving and analysing archaeologically derived human skeletal remains from Irish archaeological contexts. This talk will highlight the various elements we can discover about the biography of individuals who lived in our distant past. Through presentation and hands on demonstrations you can examine the human skeleton and learn about how osteoarchaeologists determine the age of death, sex, stature and possible pathologies of an individual. We will also discuss how through modern scientific methodologies we can discover information on past diets, evidence for trauma and facial reconstruction.

Excavations have taken place under the direction of Dr Colleen Zori (UCLA) and Jesús Gordillo at the Incan outpost site of Moqi, Southern Peru for the past two summer seasons (2012 and 2013), as part of an IFR (Institute of Field Research) archaeological field school with collaborations from archaeological staff from UCLA and USC in America, and UCC in Ireland, and architectural staff and students from the Universidad Privada de Tacna in Peru. This poster presentation will present the summary of the findings of the mortuary excavations at the site, with a focus on the mortuary practices uncovered at the settlement, as well as an overview of the demographic profiles, health status, and cultural affiliations of the people who were buried there.

This conference paper shall examine osteological evidence for both antemortem and perimortem cranial trauma of violent origin in the medieval period in 41 skeletal assemblages from across Ireland. These assemblages represent both the early (5th to 11th century) and later (12th to 16th century) medieval periods. This paper represents a case study of a particular type of trauma within the broader framework of my PhD research which examines osteological evidence for violent trauma in general in both early and late medieval Ireland. The paper will specifically examine the type of cranial trauma and the mortuary practices associated with the burials of individuals showing evidence of this trauma. Other factors that shall be examined in detail are the age and sex of the individuals affected. Finally, assessments shall be undertaken of the possible weapon types used, the patterning of the wounds, whether the antemortem cranial trauma shows evidence of treatment or possible long-term neurol...

ABSTRACT This paper represents a detailed reinterpretation of the stratigraphy and development of the famous early medieval royal site of Lagore crannog, located just south of the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath (Ireland). In particular, this paper presents an osteological analysis of the human remains uncovered from the early phases of the sites, and brooches the possibility that the early medieval remains might suggest the site was a place associated with violent ritual, and possibly judicial execution between AD 400-800. It argues that the distinctive development of Lagore's archaeology and royal purpose, can only be fully understood by placing the site within its landscape, historical and geo-political contexts.

The second plague pandemic (14th - 18th century AD), caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is infamous for its initial wave, the Black Death (1346-1353 AD), and its repeated scourges in Europe and the vicinity until the Early Modern Era. Here, we report 32 ancient Y. pestis genomes spanning the 14th to 17th century AD through the analysis of human remains from nine European archaeological sites. Our data support an initial entry of the bacterium from Eastern Europe and the absence of genetic diversity during the Black Death as well as low diversity during local outbreaks thereafter. Moreover, analysis of post-Black Death genomes shows the diversification of a Y. pestis lineage into multiple genetically distinct clades that may have given rise to more than one disease reservoir in, or close to, Europe. Finally, we show the loss of a genomic region that includes virulence-associated genes in strains associated with late stages of the second plague pandemic (17th - 18th century AD)....

The second plague pandemic (14th - 18th century AD), caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is infamous for its initial wave, the Black Death (1346-1353 AD), and its repeated scourges in Europe and the vicinity until the Early Modern Era. Here, we report 32 ancient Y. pestis genomes spanning the 14th to 17th century AD through the analysis of human remains from nine European archaeological sites. Our data support an initial entry of the bacterium from Eastern Europe and the absence of genetic diversity during the Black Death as well as low diversity during local outbreaks thereafter. Moreover, analysis of post-Black Death genomes shows the diversification of a Y. pestis lineage into multiple genetically distinct clades that may have given rise to more than one disease reservoir in, or close to, Europe. Finally, we show the loss of a genomic region that includes virulence-associated genes in strains associated with late stages of the second plague pandemic (17th - 18th century AD)....