Settlement Patterns and Socio-Economic Change in the Diocese of Tuam c.AD 400–1000
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2021Author:
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2026-09-01Citation:
Tighe, John, Settlement Patterns and Socio-Economic Change in the Diocese of Tuam c.AD 400–1000, Trinity College Dublin.School of Histories & Humanities, 2021Download Item:
Abstract:
This thesis explores the inter-relationship between settlement patterns and socio-economic change during the early medieval period in the Diocese of Tuam. A thematic approach is taken, exploring the physical settlement evidence, changes in power structures, burial practices, and the nature of the economy. On a national scale the study area in particular and Connacht more broadly, are viewed as backwaters in relation to wider socio-economic trends during the early medieval period in Ireland. This is discussed in the analysis, and any discrepancies from national trends explored. A significant constraint for this study is the meagre corpus of documentary sources for this area, especially compared with areas in East Leinster and Ulster. This makes it all the more essential to collate this data with the archaeological evidence, both excavations and surveys of the upstanding remains of features. The methods employed by landscape archaeology are central to this thesis. It is with this in mind that a number of case studies, such as Magh Séola and Lecarrowkilleen, are identified as being advantageous both to exploring the connection between settlement patterns and socio-economic change during the period and to reconciling the evidence on the ground with the documentary sources. Chapter One examines the physical settlement evidence and shows that settlement was not equally distributed across the region and that there was a diversity of settlements patterns which assists in the analysis in the proceeding chapters. Chapter Two looks at the role of power and concludes that there is a general process of centralisation of both secular and ecclesiastical power. This is most clearly seen in the rise of the Uí Briúin and later the Ó Conchobairs, from the seventh century onwards, which dominates the socio-political narrative of the region in the early medieval period. Chapter Three studies the nature of death and burial and examines the transition from ferta, settlement cemeteries and other burial contexts towards burial at ecclesiastical contexts. The chapter concludes that while the transition towards ecclesiastical contexts was underway by the end of the period, other contexts continued to be used, showing the importance of these sites for group identity. Chapter Four scrutinizes the economy by examining the agricultural economy and "central" places as locations of industry and exchange. It concludes that there was a diversification in agricultural activity, and that the identification of central places is more applicable to exploring changes than attempts to identify monastic "towns". This thesis establishes a foundation for further research on an extended chronological scale, including both the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This would emphasize the role of Tuam as a centre of importance, both as a royal caput and as the seat of an archdiocese.
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Author: Tighe, John
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Warntjes, ImmoPublisher:
Trinity College Dublin. School of Histories & Humanities. Discipline of HistoryType of material:
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Ireland, Early Medieval, Archaeology, Connacht, Mayo, Galway, Tuam, History, Economy, Social Change, Kingship, Landscape Archaeology, Death and Burial, Settlement, Church, RoscommonMetadata
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