
Delve into the world of Ireland’s Bronze Age, where the landscape is strewn with copper celts, gleaming gold torcs, and intricately crafted weapons. Drawing on decades of meticulous research, the author weaves together the latest archaeological discoveries with vivid illustrations, bringing ancient artifacts to life for the ear. Listeners will gain a clear sense of how Ireland’s early metalworkers fit into a broader European network of ideas and styles.
The narrative walks you through the evolution of tools and ornaments, from the earliest copper implements to elaborate bronze swords and sun‑disks. Each chapter unpacks the design, function, and cultural significance of objects such as halberds, daggers, and ceremonial shields, while highlighting striking parallels with Mycenaean and Danubian traditions. Rich photographic plates and detailed sketches, described in the commentary, help you picture the craftsmanship that once defined Irish societies.
Beyond cataloguing items, the work explores the routes through which continental influences may have reached the island, inviting listeners to consider the dynamic exchanges that shaped early Irish civilization. It offers a compelling blend of scientific rigour and storytelling, making the distant past both accessible and fascinating.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (111K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-10-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1857–1916
An Irish archaeologist and museum scholar, he helped shape the study of prehistoric Ireland and became a key figure in the care of Irish antiquities. His writing brought early Irish art and archaeology to a wider public at the start of the 20th century.
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