Emma Hannah

• Archaeology and Palaeoecology; Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast
• Email: ehannah01@qub.ac.uk

My research focuses on the chronology of craft-working practices from early medieval settlements across Ireland between AD 400-1200. Craft activities were practices which were undertaken at both a domestic level and, sometimes, in more organised manner, i.e. to engage in trade and exchange. Those most commonly practiced included metalworking, bone- and antler-working, leather-working, wood-working, textile manufacture, etc. By looking at their chronology, this research identifies the long-term patterns associated with these activities and pinpoints significant points of change over the course of the 800-year period, as well as relating their social significance. The changes that took place in the latter half of the period are of particular interest. A key point of change in early medieval Ireland was the arrival of the Vikings in the late 8th/early 9th century, who are often attributed with the development of a handful of coastal towns – Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Cork, and Limerick - in the 900s. Their appearance is generally considered to signify the beginnings of urbanism in Ireland and the introduction of new economic structures. The impact of these towns on rural craft-working is examined in more detail.

https://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/emma-hannah(b1c1a5aa-df7c-4ef1-aa28-dd3b2126d933).html

Supervisory Team: Dr Finbar McCormick, Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (QUB), Prof Paula Reimer, Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (QUB).

Start Date: September 2016.