Excavations at Knowth: v. 3: Knowth and the Zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland

This is the third volume of the comprehensive account of the excavations at Knowth - part of the ancient Brugh na Bóinne complex that also includes Dowth and Newgrange. This monograph provides groundbreaking evidence for the use of animal resources in Ireland during the Early Christian period. It presents the latest results of one of the largest assemblages of animal bone recovered from an Irish site, providing an opportunity to review the faunal data recorded from other Early Christian sites in Ireland. A gazetteer summarises this data from more than 30 excavations across the country. The concluding premise of the analysis is that the animal bones demonstrate a fundamental shift in Irish livestock economy from the eighth century AD onwards.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the world renowned Eastern Tomb at Knowth, we are publishing free online our six books on Excavations at Knowth via the Digital Repository of Ireland.